Antiviral pyrimidine derivatives: binding with biopolymers and photosensitization.

Two antiviral pyrimidine derivatives, known to partially inhibit RNA dependent RNA polymerase of Mengo virus in a cell-free system, were found to bind with biopolymers. The antiviral compounds, at concentration of 100 and 50 muM and lower, showed complete inhibition of the virus-induced cytopathic effect and plaque reduction. Both compounds showed fluorescence emission with a maximum at about 500 nm under the influence of UV light of the wavelength of 366 nm. The fluorescence intensity increased upon addition of aqueous solutions of DNA, RNA and human serum albumin. This indicates that both compounds are capable of binding with nucleic acids and proteins. Based on the binding experiments alone it cannot be decided whether interference with nucleic acid template activity, enzyme function, or both are responsible for the virostatic action. Irradiation with violet light considerably enhances the virostatic activity, a fact that may be caused by photodynamic processes.