INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF S-ADENOSYLHOMOCYSTEINE HYDROLASE INHIBITORS AGAINST HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS REPLICATION

Various acyclic and carbocyclic adenosine analogues, which are apparently targeted at the S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase have been reported to inhibit the replication of a number of pox-, rhabdo-, paramyxo-, arena-, and reoviruses. Here we show that this activity spectrum extends to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Of the compounds tested, neplanocin A, 3-deazaneplanocin A, 6'-C-methylneplanocin A and 5'-noraristeromycin were found to be the most potent inhibitors of HCMV replication in vitro. Their 50% inhibitory concentration ranged from 0.05 to 1.35 mug/ml. In general, the anti-HCMV activity of the adenosine analogues correlated well with their affinity (K(i)) for AdoHcy hydrolase, suggesting that AdoHcy hydrolase may be considered as a target enzyme for anti-HCMV agents. For four compounds (3-deazneplanocin A, 6'-C-methylneplanocin A (isomers I and II) and 3-deazaadenosine), anti-HCMV potency was greater than could be expected solely from their interaction with AdoHcy hydrolase, suggesting that these compounds may be functioning by an additional mechanism.