Telomerase inhibition by 3'-azido-2', 3'-dideoxynucleoside 5'-triphosphates and telomere shortening in human cultured cells by the corresponding nucleosides.

Telomerase is believed to be a good target for the development of antitumor agents. In this study, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-2-aminoadenosine (AZddAA), 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (AZddA), 9-(3-azido-2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-aminopurine (AZddAP), 3'-azido-2-chloro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (AZddClA) and their triphosphate derivatives were synthesized. Telomerase assay studies showed that the 2-amino group plays an important role in the inhibitory activity of these compounds. In addition, AZddAA was found to cause telomere shortening in of HL60 cells in culture.