Structure-activity relationship of the affinity of 5-substituted uracil nucleoside analogues for varicella-zoster virus thymidine kinase and their activity against varicella-zoster virus

We investigated structure-activity relationships of 5-substituted uracil nucleoside analogues for their selective antiviral activity against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and affinity for VZV thymidine kinase (TK). Anti-proliferative activity of the compounds was measured using human lymphoblastoid cells. Most 2'-deoxyribofuranosyluracil, arabinofuranosyluracil (araU) and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabinofuranosyluracil derivatives showed selective anti-VZV activity as well as activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 2'-Deoxyuridine derivatives showed higher affinity than the corresponding araU analogues. A correlation was seen between the 50% effective doses for VZV and the K-i values for VZV TK, except for 5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-ethyl araU that showed relatively high affinity for VZV TK without showing any activity against VZV. 5-Halogenovinyluracil nucleosides showed the highest affinity and the most potent and selective anti-VZV activity. 2'-Deoxy-2'-fluoro-arabinofuranosyluracil derivatives exhibited high anti-VZV potency though they showed relatively low affinity for VZV TK. Some 3'-deoxythymidine analogues having anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity were :inactive against herpesviruses. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.