The synthesis of 3'-dATP and its use as an inhibitor of ATP-dependent DNA synthesis in toluene-treated Escherichia coli

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Abstract
A structural analog of ATP, 3''-dATP, was synthesized from cordycepin (3''-deoxyadenosine), characterized, and determined to be an inhibitor of ATP-dependent DNA synthesis in E. coli cells which were rendered permeable to nucleoside triphosphates by treatment with toluene. The analog is a competitive inhibitor of ATP and it inhibits replicative DNA synthesis 50% at concentrations of .apprx. 0.15 mM in the presence of 1.0 mM ATP and 4 .times. 108 cells/ml. The degree of inhibition of a given amount of 3''-dATP is inversely related to the cell concentration in the reaction mixture. The analog interferes with some function of ATP which is continuously required during the course of the reaction and does not irreversibly inactivate the cells'' DNA synthesis apparatus. 3''-dATP may prove useful in elucidating the roles of ATP in DNA synthesis in more purified replicating systems.