Novel non-nucleoside human cytomegalovirus inhibitors based upon TSAO nucleoside derivatives: structure-activity relationships.

TSAO derivatives are a unique group of potent and highly specific inhibitors of HIV-1 replication. We have recently reported 4''-ureido TSAO derivatives that are devoid of anti-HIV-1 activity, but inhibit human cytomegalovirus with an activity comparable to that of Ganciclovir. We herein report the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 4''-ureido TSAO derivatives in order to evaluate the structural features required for anti-HCMV activity. Interestingly, these studies revealed that the compounds may inhibit HCMV at the DNA polymerase step via a non-nucleoside mechanism.