SATE pronucleotide approaches: an overview

Abstract

This review depicts in vitro and in vivo results obtained with nucleotide prodrugs (pronucleotides) bearing S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) groups as esterase-labile phosphate protections. New developments are illustrated by the design of mononucleoside mixed phosphoester derivatives leading to the selective intracellular delivery of the corresponding 5'-mononucleotide through two different enzyme-mediated activation steps.