5′-O-tritylinosine and analogues as allosteric inhibitors of human thymidine phosphorylase

On the basis of our previous findings that 5'-O-tritylinosine ( KIN59) behaves as an allosteric inhibitor of the angiogenic enzyme thymidine phosphorylase ( TPase), we have undertaken the synthesis and enzymatic evaluation of a novel series of nucleoside analogues modified at positions 1, 2, or 6 of the purine ring and at the 5'-position of the ribose moiety of the lead compound KIN59. SAR studies indicate that quite large structural variations can be performed on KIN59 without compromising TPase inhibition. Thus, incorporation of a cyclopropylmethyl or a cyclohexylmethyl group at position N-1 of 5'-O-tritylinosine increases the inhibitory activity against TPase 10-fold compared to KIN59. Moreover, the trityl group at the 5'-position of the ribose seems to be crucial for TPase inhibition. The here reported results further substantiate that 5'-O-trityl nucleosides represent a new class of TPase inhibitors that should be further explored in those biological systems where TPase plays an instrumental role ( i.e. angiogenesis).