Synthesis and Activity of Oligonucleotides Containing a Biologically Active Nucleoside at the 2′End

Abstract The antiviral activity of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine (BVdUrd), acyclovir and other antiherpetic nucleosides depends on a selective phosphorylation by the herpesvirus-induced thymidine kinase in the infected cells. Viruses not encoding a specific thymidine kinase (TK) activity are resistant to the action of these nucleoside analogues. The nucleoside monophosphates are as such poorly taken up by the cells. In order to circumvent the necessity of intracellular phosphorylation, we synthesized four core oligonucleotides bearing a biological active nucleoside at the 2′end. It was hypothesized that these core oligonucleotides, like core 2–5A itself, would be taken up within the cell and that, following intracellular 2′-5′ phosphodiesterase cleavage, the 5′-monophosphate of the active product would be formed. In these circumstances, activity against TK- strains could be expected.