[Synthesis and evaluation of novel nucleic acid derivatives as bioactive substances].

This review describes the synthesis and evaluation of novel nucleic acid derivatives performed by our research group to date. We developed a new method for the synthesis of 2-alkoxyadenosine analogs via nonaqueous diazotization-dediazoniation reactions. By applying these reactions, we effectively synthesized four types of carbocyclic oxetanocin analogs (2-alkoxy-C.OXT-A). The angiogenic activities of these compounds were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. This resulted in increased activities of the analogs, especially of 2-methoxy-C.OXT-A and 2-isopropoxy-C.OXT-A, at a concentration of 100 μM; they showed angiogenic potency similar to or greater than that of vascular endothelial growth factor. We also synthesized and evaluated a novel series of uracil derivatives carrying a 3,5-dimethylbenzyl group at the N(3)-position and acting as non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Some of these compounds showed good-to-moderate inhibitory activity, with EC₅₀ values in the submicromolar range. Among them, the analog 6-amino-1-(4-picolyl)-uracil showed significant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition, with an EC₅₀ value of 0.03 μM and a high selectivity index of 2863.