[The effect of 3'-azido-3'-deoxynucleosides on the reproduction of AIDS virus in cell culture].

Action of three nucleoside analogues with azido-group on AIDS virus (human immunodeficiency virus--HIV) reproduction was studied in two cell species. Among these compounds there were 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (Az-T), 3'-azido-3'-deoxyarabinothymidine (Az-AT) and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5-methylcytidine (Az-dCMe). All compounds prevent cells against HIV infection, but Az-T action was expressed more strongly. The reason for the lower activity of the Az-AT and Az-dCMe bases is probably stipulated by their poor conversion to the corresponding 5'-triphosphates. Az-T 5'-triphosphate blocks HIV reproduction due to the inhibition of the viral reverse transcriptase.