| abstract |
Essentially pure (R)-3-(2-deoxy- Beta -D-erythropentofuranosyl)-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo(4,5-d)(1,3)-diazepin-8ol and the process for the production of (R)-3-(2-deoxy- Beta -Derythro-pentofuranosyl)-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo(4,5d)(1,3)diazepin-8-ol by inoculating an aqueous nutrient medium, preferably containing sources of assimilable carbon and nitrogen and added inorganic salt and having a pH between about 6 and 8, with a (R)-3-(2-deoxy- Beta -D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-3,6,7,8tetrahydroimidazo(4,5-d)(1,3)diazepin-8-ol producing strain of Streptomyces antibioticus, such as the strain corresponding to NRRL 3238, conducting a fermentation under aseptic aerobic conditions at a temperature between about 20 and 45*C. until a substantial quantity of (R)-3-(2-deoxy- Beta -D-erythropentofuranosyl)-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo-(4,5-d)(1,3)diazepin-8ol is formed, and isolating the desired product from the fermentation mixture are disclosed. The (R)-3-(2-deoxy- Beta -Derythro-pentofuranosyl)-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo(4,5d)(1,3)diazepin-8-ol potentiates the activity of 9-( Beta -Darabinofuranosyl)adenine as an antiviral agent that is active in vitro and in vivo against DNA viruses such as herpes and vaccinia viruses. |