Halobenzimidazole Ribosides and RNA Synthesis of Cells and Viruses

TLDR: Investigations of the cellular and viral biosynthesis, in which compounds in this class of benzimidazoles possess the unique biological activity of selective inhibition of the synthesis of nuclear heterogeneous RNA, are reviewed.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter brings together in a systematic way the recent work as well as some of the earlier studies on the mode of action of halogenated ribofuranosylbenzimidazoles on cellular and viral biosynthesis. Investigations of the cellular and viral biosynthesis, in which these compounds have been used as exploratory tools are also reviewed in this chapter. Compounds in this class of benzimidazoles possess the unique biological activity of selective inhibition of the synthesis of nuclear heterogeneous RNA (hnRNA) in cells of cold-blooded animals, including insects and in cells of avian and mammalian species. Because of the universality of the synthesis of hnRNA in animal species and because a portion of hnRNA sequences becomes mRNA, the action of halobenzimidazole ribosides on cellular biosynthesis is of broad interest. The action of these derivatives is also relevant to the process of transcription of the viral genomes of certain RNA and DNA viruses. In addition, this chapter briefly discusses three groups of structurally distinct bcnzimidazolcs that possess biological actions entirely different from those of halobenzimidazole ribosides: 2-(α-hydroxybenzyl) benzimidazole and certain related compounds are selective inhibitors of picornavirus multiplication; 5-methyl-2-D-ribobenzimidazole and congeners and 5-hydroxy-l-methylbenzimidazole and certain related compounds restore the capacity of chorioallantoic membranes from older chicken embryos to produce influenza virus in high yield.