Synthesis of polyphosphorylated AZT derivatives for the development of specific enzyme immunoassays

The synthesis of a series of analogues of the different polyphosphorylated metabolites of AZT has been carried out. The compounds were designed in ord er to raise specific antibodies for the development of highly sensitive tit ration kits for the intracellular metabolites of AZT. The pyrophosphate moi ety in AZT-DP and AZT-TP analogues is mimicked by the methylene bisphosphon ate group to provide in vivo stability of the compounds. An omega-amino lin ker was introduced at the N-3 position on the base to allow the further anc horing of the compounds to a carrier protein before immunization, tentitati vely focusing the specificity of the immune response toward the phosphate m imic moiety and the nonnatural sugar.