Enhanced activity or resistance of adenosine derivatives towards adenosine deaminase-catalyzed deamination: Influence of ribose modifications

The effect of the presence of the 1′-C-methyl group and 2′,3′-O-substitution in the adenosine structure on ADA activity has been investigated by modeling studies. Results show that the 2′- and 3′-O- substituents are harbored in a quite large cavity of intermediate polarity, whereas the 1′-C-substituent clashes against Ala180 distorting the architecture of the catalytic centre. Globally, the study emphasizes the ability of ADA to transform a large set of 2′,3′-O-substituted adenosine analogues as well as the opportunity to design 1′-C-substituted adenosine derivatives resistant to ADA-catalyzed deamination.