Synthesis of 5'-N-(alpha-amino-beta-mercaptoacyl)amino-5'-deoxynucleosides as potential antiviral compounds.

5'-N-(alpha-Amino-beta-mercaptoacyl)amino-5'-deoxynucleosides have been synthesized by coupling of N-formylthiazolidines derived from D- and L-penicillamine, and D- and L-cysteine to 5'-amino-5'-deoxynucleosides using the DCC/HOSu method, followed by deprotection in N HCl in MeOH under argon. Although these compounds were designed as potential anti-HIV-1 agents, none of them showed anti-HIV-1 activity in MT-4 cells or antiviral effect against some other viruses, at concentrations below the cytotoxicity threshold.