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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, January 2003, p. 426-431, Vol. 47, No. 1
0066-4804/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AAC.47.1.426-431.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Activation and Deactivation of a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Drug by a Single Enzyme: Adenosine Deaminase Catalyzes Two Consecutive Deamination Reactions

Jim Zhen Wu,* Heli Walker, Johnson Y. N. Lau, and Zhi Hong

Research & Development, Ribapharm Corporation, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Received 5 July 2002/ Returned for modification 19 September 2002/ Accepted 3 October 2002

Ribavirin is an approved broad-spectrum antiviral drug. A liver-targeting prodrug of ribavirin, viramidine, is in clinical trial in an attempt to provide a better therapeutic index. The conversion of viramidine to ribavirin, and of ribavirin to an inactive metabolite through adenosine deaminase, is reported. Kinetic analysis indicates that adenosine deaminase is likely involved in activation of viramidine in vivo, and the process is highly pH sensitive. The differential activities of two consecutive deamination reactions are kinetically studied and interpreted based on adenosine deaminase structural information. A comprehensive understanding of the viramidine and ribavirin deamination mechanism should help in designing better nucleoside therapeutics in the future.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Research & Development, Ribapharm Corporation, 3300 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Phone: (714) 545-0100, ext. 3024. Fax: (714) 668-3142. E-mail: jwu{at}icnpharm.com.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, January 2003, p. 426-431, Vol. 47, No. 1
0066-4804/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AAC.47.1.426-431.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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