Biologically Active Oligodeoxyribonucleotides - II1: Structure Activity Relationships of Anti-HIV-1 Pentadecadeoxyribonucleotides Bearing 5′-End-Modifications

5′-End-modified pentadecadeoxyribonucleotides (15mers) with a sequence complementary to the tat 2nd splicing acceptor region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were prepared and evaluated for anti-HIV-1 activity. The structures of modified 15mers were confirmed by negative ion LSI mass spectroscopy, and the anti-HIV-1 activities were evaluated in vitro by MTT assay using MT-4 cells. While the unmodified 15mer had no activity in our assay system, the 15mers bearing modifications with trityl-type substituents at the 5′-end showed potent anti-HIV-1 activities.