Conjugates of 2 ',3 '-didehydro-3 '-deoxythymidine with thymogen: Synthesis and anti-HIV activity

An effective synthesis of thymogen was developed. Conjugates of 2',3'-dideh ydro-3'-deoxythymidine (nucleoside d4T) with thymogen were prepared in whic h the nucleoside hydroxyl group was linked to the thymogen carboxyl group o f either tryprophan or glutamic acid residues. It was shown that the anti-H IV activity of the d4T-thymogene conjugate with the tryptophan linkage was comparable to that of d4T, whereas its cytotoxicity was nil. The d4T-trypto phan conjugate also displayed high anti-HIV activity.