Impact of unnatural nucleosides on the control of microbial growth.

This research investigated the antimicrobial activities of unnatural nucleosides. We tested the MIC and MBC of 17 synthetic nucleoside analogues against 10 microbial strains. These nucleoside analogues were classified into four groups according to their structural characteristics. Inhibition was observed with compounds 1-1, 3-1, and 4-3. In particular, 5'-deoxythymidine (3-1) was most effective at 50 micro g/mL against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. This analogue has had the hydroxyl group at the 5' position replaced with a hydrogen atom. All compounds had weak effects against various species of mold. The MBC of 5'-deoxythymidine was 50 g/mL in 0.5 h against S. aureus. These results showed that 5'-deoxythymidine had the most effective antimicrobial activity of the 17 different unnatural nucleosides. The inhibitory effect of 3-1 suggests that it may be useful as an antibacterial agent in medical situations.