Synthesis of polyphosphorylated AZT derivatives for the development of specific enzyme immunoassays

The synthesis of a series of analogues of the different polyphosphorylated metabolites of AZT has been carried out. The compounds were designed in order to raise specific antibodies for the development of highly sensitive titration kits for the intracellular metabolites of AZT. The pyrophosphate moiety in AZT-DP and AZT-TP analogues is mimicked by the methylene bisphosphonate group to provide in vivo stability of the compounds. An omega-amino linker was introduced at the N-3 position on the base to allow the further anchoring of the compounds to a carrier protein before immunization, tentitatively focusing the specificity of the immune response toward the phosphate mimic moiety and the nonnatural sugar.