Novel adenosine analogues with broad-spectrum biological activity: structure and mechanism of action.

Aliphatic analogues of adenosine, e.g. 9-(S)-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine, its homologs and carboxy derivatives, display various biological (antiviral, aspermatogenic, chemosterilant, embryotoxic) activities. The principle in common of these effects seems to be an inhibition of SAH-hydrolase which disturbs transmethylations in rapidly proliferating systems.