2′-β-Methylselenyl nucleos(t)ide analogs as reverse transcriptase inhibitors against diverse HIV mutants

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) have been extensively studied as drugs targeting HIV RT. However, the practice or use of approved NRTIs lacking the 3ʹ-hydroxy group often promotes frequent HIV mutations and generates drug-resistance. Here, we describe a novel NRTI with 2′-β-methylselenyl modification. We found that this modification inhibited the DNA elongation reaction by HIV-1 RT despite having a 3′-hydroxy group. Moreover, the conformation of this nucleoside analog is controlled at C3′-endo, a conformation that resists excision from the elongating DNA by HIV RT. Accordingly, the designed analogs exhibited activity against both wild-type HIV and multidrug-resistant HIV mutants.