Biomaterial Database

Studies on the mechanism of antiviral action of 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (ribavirin). 1979

A K Drabikowska, and L Dudycz, and D Shugar

Syntheses are described for the 5'-phosphates of the 2'- and 3'-O-methylribavirins (2a and 2b) and the methyl ester of ribavirin 5'-phosphate (3). The 5'-phosphate of 1-beta-(D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole (2d) was obtained via the 3-carboxyl derivative of ribavirin 5'-phosphate (2c). Compounds 2a, 2b, and 2d were inactive as inactive as inhibitors of IMP dehydrogenase under conditions where the parent ribavirin 5'-phosphate (2) was an effective inhibitor. Weak inhibitory activity was exhibited by 3 (Ki approximately 200 muM) and 2c (K1 approximately 70 muM). Under conditions where ribavirin (1) is effectively phosphorylated by rat liver nucleoside kinase, the 2'- and 3'-O-methylribavirins (1a and 1b), the 3-carboxylate of ribavirin (1c), and the riboside of 1,2,4-triazole (1d) were totally inactive. The overall results are fully consistent with the lack of antiviral activity of 1a and 1b, while the specificity of ribavirin as an antiviral agent is further underlined by the behavior of the methyl ester 3.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007168	IMP Dehydrogenase	An enzyme that catalyzes the dehydrogenation of inosine 5'-phosphate to xanthosine 5'-phosphate in the presence of NAD. EC 1.1.1.205.	Inosinic Acid Dehydrogenase,Inosine-5-Monophosphate Dehydrogenase,Acid Dehydrogenase, Inosinic,Dehydrogenase, IMP,Dehydrogenase, Inosine-5-Monophosphate,Dehydrogenase, Inosinic Acid,Inosine 5 Monophosphate Dehydrogenase
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D010766	Phosphorylation	The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety.	Phosphorylations
D010770	Phosphotransferases	A rather large group of enzymes comprising not only those transferring phosphate but also diphosphate, nucleotidyl residues, and others. These have also been subdivided according to the acceptor group. (From Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992) EC 2.7.	Kinases,Phosphotransferase,Phosphotransferases, ATP,Transphosphorylase,Transphosphorylases,Kinase,ATP Phosphotransferases
D006868	Hydrolysis	The process of cleaving a chemical compound by the addition of a molecule of water.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012254	Ribavirin	A nucleoside antimetabolite antiviral agent that blocks nucleic acid synthesis and is used against both RNA and DNA viruses.	Ribovirin,Tribavirin,ICN-1229,Rebetol,Ribamide,Ribamidil,Ribamidyl,Ribasphere,Vilona,Viramide,Virazide,Virazole,ICN 1229,ICN1229
D012263	Ribonucleosides	Nucleosides in which the purine or pyrimidine base is combined with ribose. (Dorland, 28th ed)
D013154	Spleen	An encapsulated lymphatic organ through which venous blood filters.
D014780	Viruses	Minute infectious agents whose genomes are composed of DNA or RNA, but not both. They are characterized by a lack of independent metabolism and the inability to replicate outside living host cells.	Animal Viruses,Zoophaginae,Animal Virus,Virus,Virus, Animal,Viruses, Animal