PHOSPHORYLATION OF 5'-O-PHOSPHONYLMETYLTH YMIDINE AND ITS INCORPORATION INTO THE DNA OF HELA-CELLS

[H-3]5'-O-Phosphonylmethylthymidine with a specific activity of 71 Ci/ mmol was obtained by isotope exchange. Its incubation with a HeLa cell culture resulted in the formation of [H-3]-labeled 5'-O-(beta-phospho ryl-alpha-phosphonylmethyl)thymi dine, mma-diphosphoryl-alpha-phosphon ylmethyl)thymidine, and [H-3]DNA. This proved the ability of 5'-O-phos phonylmethylthymidine to undergo phosphorylation and incorporation int o the DNA of human cells.