Arabinosyl Nucleosides and Nucleotides

Abstract
Spongothymidine and spongouridine, the 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl derivatives of thymine and uracil, respectively, were first isolated by Bergmann and Feeney from a Caribbean sponge, Cryptotethya crypta, in the course of studies of the comparative biochemistry of the sterols in marine organisms. 1 , 2 These compounds were of great interest to biochemists and organic chemists interested in purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, and particularly to chemotherapists seeking antitumor and antiviral drugs. Comprehensive reviews of published reports (organic synthesis, and biochemical and biological activity) on the arabinosyl nucleosides were published by Cohen in 1966 3 and by Suhadolnik in 1970. 4 The reported antiviral activity of purines and pyrimidines, including the arabinosyl nucleosides and nucleotides, has recently been cataloged and discussed by Schabel and Montgomery. 5

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