Halogen bonding in DNA base pairs

Halogen bonding (R-X···Y) is a qualitative analogue of hydrogen bonding that may prove useful in the rational design of artificial proteins and nucleotides. We explore halogen-bonded DNA base pairs containing modified guanine, cytosine, adenine and thymine nucleosides. The structures and stabilities of the halogenated systems are compared to the normal hydrogen bonded base pairs. In most cases, energetically stable, coplanar structures are identified. In the most favorable cases, halogenated base pair stabilities are within 2 kcal mol(-1) of the hydrogen bonded analogues. Among the halogens X = Cl, Br, and I, bromine is best suited for inclusion in these biological systems because it possesses the best combination of polarizability and steric suitability. We find that the most stable structures result from a single substitution of a hydrogen bond for a halogen bond in dA:dT and dG:dC base pairs, which allows 1 or 2 hydrogen bonds, respectively, to complement the halogen bond.     

Measurement and theory of hydrogen bonding contribution to isosteric DNA base pairs

We address the recent debate surrounding the ability of 2,4-difluorotoluene (F), a low-polarity mimic of thymine (T), to form a hydrogen-bonded complex with adenine in DNA. The hydrogen bonding ability of F has been characterized as small to zero in various experimental studies, and moderate to small in computational studies. However, recent X-ray crystallographic studies of difluorotoluene in DNA/RNA have indicated, based on interatomic distances, possible hydrogen bonding interactions between F and natural bases in nucleic acid duplexes and in a DNA polymerase active site. Since F is widely used to measure electrostatic contributions to pairing and replication, it is important to quantify the impact of this isostere on DNA stability. Here, we studied the pairing stability and selectivity of this compound and a closely related variant, dichlorotoluene deoxyriboside (L), in DNA, using both experimental and computational approaches. We measured the thermodynamics of duplex formation in three sequence contexts and with all possible pairing partners by thermal melting studies using the van't Hoff approach, and for selected cases by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Experimental results showed that internal F-A pairing in DNA is destabilizing by 3.8 kcal/mol (van't Hoff, 37 °C) as compared with T-A pairing. At the end of a duplex, base-base interactions are considerably smaller; however, the net F-A interaction remains repulsive while T-A pairing is attractive. As for selectivity, F is found to be slightly selective for adenine over C, G, T by 0.5 kcal mol, as compared with thymine's selectivity of 2.4 kcal/mol. Interestingly, dichlorotoluene in DNA is slightly less destabilizing and slightly more selective than F, despite the lack of strongly electronegative fluorine atoms. Experimental data were complemented by computational results, evaluated at the M06-2X/6-31+G(d) and MP2/cc-pVTZ levels of theory. These computations suggest that the pairing energy of F to A is ~28% of that of T-A, and most of this interaction does not arise from the F···HN interaction, but rather from the CH···N interaction. The nucleobase analogue shows no inherent selectivity for adenine over other bases, and L-A pairing energies are slightly weaker than for F-A. Overall, the results are consistent with a small favorable noncovalent interaction of F with A offset by a large desolvation cost for the polar partner. We discuss the findings in light of recent structural studies and of DNA replication experiments involving these analogues.     

Characterizing the strength of individual hydrogen bonds in DNA base pairs

The energies of individual hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) in A-T and G-C Watson-Crick base pairs were calculated according to the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of intermolecular interactions. The extent to which individual H-bonds are helpful in holding the two base pairs together was previously investigated quantitatively by a few different approaches, and the results of the present and previous estimations were compared. The method was validated by the determination of the H-bond strength changes in A-T and G-C pairs upon the substitution of the monomer (base) by two cationic substituents; the systems for which the changes were previously anticipated based on the modifications of the H-bonds' distances.     

Proton transitions in the hydrogen bonds of the DNA base pairs

The energy levels and wavefunctions of the protons of the hydrogen bonds in DNA base pairs are numerically calculated for a series of adiabatic potential curves. The phenomenon of the so-called proton tunnelling is discussed. The radiative proton transition probabilities are calculated and a comparison with the radiationless ones is made. The relative proton transition probabilities accompanying the electron excitation and de-excitation of the DNA base pairs are evaluated.     

Optimization of interstrand hydrophobic packing interactions within unnatural DNA base pairs

As part of an effort to expand the genetic alphabet, we have evaluated a large number of predominantly hydrophobic unnatural base pairs. We now report the synthesis and stability of unnatural base pairs formed between simple phenyl rings modified at different positions with methyl groups. Surprisingly, several of the unnatural base pairs are virtually as stable as a natural base pair in the same sequence context. The results show that neither hydrogen-bonding nor large aromatic surface area are required for base pair stability within duplex DNA and that interstrand interactions between small aromatic rings may be optimized for both stability and selectivity. These smaller nucleobases are not expected to induce the distortions in duplex DNA or at the primer terminus that seem to limit replication of larger unnatural base pairs, and they therefore represent a promising approach to the expansion of the genetic alphabet.     

Some comments on H-bond dynamics in DNA base pairs

It is advocated that the H -bond patterns of the standard C –G and A –T base pairs have an evolutionary advantage over any other H -bond scheme accommodated within the Watson–Crick-type geometry. A suggested proof of the statement is given by the Longuet–Higgins' sign-reversing loop argument. The present analysis indicates a close relation with self-organizational principles. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Watson-crick base pairs with thiocarbonyl groups: How sulfur changes the hydrogen bonds in DNA

We have theoretically analyzed mimics of Watson-Crick AT and GC base pairs in which N-H···O hydrogen bonds are replaced by N-H···S, using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of density functional theory at BP86/TZ2P level. The general effect of the above substitutions is an elongation and a slight weakening of the hydrogen bonds that hold together the base pairs. However, the precise effects depend on how many, and in particular, on which hydrogen bonds AT and GC are substituted.. Another purpose of this work is to clarify the relative importance of electrostatic attraction versus orbital interaction in the hydrogen bonds involved in the mimics, using a quantitative bond energy decomposition scheme. At variance with widespread believe, the orbital interaction component in these hydrogen bonds is found to contribute more than 40% of the attractive interactions and is thus of the same order of magnitude as the electrostatic component, which provides the remaining attraction.      

MercuryII-mediated formation of thymine-HgII-thymine base pairs in DNA duplexes

The very specific binding of the HgII ion unexpectedly and significantly stabilizes naturally occurring thymine-thymine base mispairing in DNA duplexes. Following this finding, we prepared DNA duplexes containing metal-mediated base pairs at the desired sites, as well as novel double helical architectures consisting only of thymine-HgII-thymine pairs.     

Combined effects of metal complexation and size expansion in the electronic structure of DNA base pairs

Novel DNA derivatives have been recently investigated in the pursuit of modified DNA duplexes to tune the electronic structure of DNA-based assemblies for nanotechnology applications. Size-expanded DNAs (e.g., xDNA) and metalated DNAs (M-DNA) may enhance stacking interactions and induce metallic conductivity, respectively. Here we explore possible ways of tailoring the DNA electronic structure by combining the aromatic size expansion with the metal-doping. We select the salient structures from our recent study on natural DNA pairs complexed with transition metal ions and consider the equivalent model configurations for xDNA pairs. We present the results of density functional theory electronic structure calculations of the metalated expanded base-pairs with various localized basis sets and exchange-correlation functionals. Implicit solvent and coordination water molecules are also included. Our results indicate that the effect of base expansion is largest in Ag-xGC complexes, while Cu-xGC complexes are the most promising candidates for nanowires with enhanced electron transfer and also for on-purpose modification of the DNA double-helix for signal detection.     

N1...N3 hydrogen bonds of A:U base pairs of RNA are stronger than those of A:T base pairs of DNA

Trans-hydrogen-bond deuterium isotope effects of Watson-Crick A:U and A:T base pairs of 10 homologous RNA and DNA duplexes are compared. The isotope effect at 13C2 of adenosine residues due to deuterium/protium substitution at the imino H3 site, 2hDelta13C2, is larger in RNA than in DNA. The virtually consistent larger isotope effects in RNA suggest that the N1...N3 hydrogen bonds of A:U base pairs of RNA are stronger than those of the A:T base pairs of DNA.     

Effect of hydrogen bonding on the photo-oxidation of DNA

The one-electron oxidation of DNA has been extensively studied as it leads to the formation of oxidative lesions that cause carcinogenesis and aging. In this paper, experimental results specifically addressing the effect of hydrogen bonding on the one-electron oxidation rate of nucleosides are presented. To separate the hydrogen bonding from the π-stacking effect, experiments were performed in dichloromethane, in which base-pair formation is possible at the monomer level. The effect of base pairing of guanine with cytosine on the rate constant of the electron transfer from guanine to electron acceptor molecules in the triplet excited state was investigated, and a selective enhancement of the electron transfer was observed for the guanine:cytosine base pair. By introducing a methyl or bromo group to the C5 position of cytosine, acceleration or suppression, respectively, of the one-electron oxidation relative to the guanine:cytosine base pair was observed. The results demonstrate that the one-electron oxidation rate of guanine in DNA can be regulated by introducing a substituent on the base-pairing cytosine.     

Minor groove hydrogen bonds and the replication of unnatural base pairs

As part of an effort to expand the genetic alphabet, we examined the synthesis of DNA with six different unnatural nucleotides bearing methoxy-derivatized nucleobase analogues. Different nucleobase substitution patterns were used to systematically alter the nucleobase electronics, sterics, and hydrogen-bonding potential. We determined the ability of the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I to synthesize and extend the different unnatural base pairs and mispairs under steady-state conditions. Unlike other hydrogen-bond acceptors examined in the past, the methoxy groups do not facilitate mispairing, implying that they are not recognized by any of the hydrogen-bond donors of the natural nucleobases; however, they do facilitate replication. The more efficient replication results largely from an increase in the rate of extension of primers terminating at the unnatural base pair and, interestingly, requires that the methoxy group be at the ortho position where it is positioned in the developing minor groove and can form a functionally important hydrogen bond with the polymerase. Thus, ortho methoxy groups should be generally useful for the effort to expand the genetic alphabet.     

Analysis of nuclear quantum effects on hydrogen bonding

The impact of nuclear quantum effects on hydrogen bonding is investigated for a series of hydrogen fluoride (HF)n clusters and a partially solvated fluoride anion, F-(H2O). The nuclear quantum effects are included using the path integral formalism in conjunction with the Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (PICPMD) method and using the second-order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2) approach. For the HF clusters, a directional change in the impact of nuclear quantum effects on the hydrogen-bonding strength is observed as the clusters evolve toward the condensed phase. Specifically, the inclusion of nuclear quantum effects increases the F-F distances for the (HF)n=2-4 clusters and decreases the F-F distances for the (HF)n>4 clusters. This directional change occurs because the enhanced electrostatic interactions between the HF monomers become more dominant than the zero point energy effects of librational modes as the size of the HF clusters increases. For the F-(H2O) system, the inclusion of nuclear quantum effects decreases the F-O distance and strengthens the hydrogen bonding interaction between the fluoride anion and the water molecule because of enhanced electrostatic interactions. The vibrationally averaged 19F shielding constant for F-(H2O) is significantly lower than the value for the equilibrium geometry, indicating that the electronic density on the fluorine decreases as a result of the quantum delocalization of the shared hydrogen. Deuteration of this system leads to an increase in the vibrationally averaged F-O distance and nuclear magnetic shielding constant because of the smaller degree of quantum delocalization for deuterium.     

Sequence dependence of cytochrome c electrochemistry on DNA modified electrodes: Effect of hydrogen bonding of a ligand to nucleobases opposite an abasic site

The binding of a hydrogen bond-forming ligand to abasic (AP) site-containing DNA was electrochemically investigated for discrimination of a nucleotide opposite the AP site. The surface of a gold electrode was modified by AP site-containing DNA duplexes on which cytochrome c (Cyto c) was attached electrostatically as a probe. Cyto c showed quasi-reversible electrochemical behavior depending on the base opposite the AP site. When the base opposite the AP site was cytosine, much slower kinetics of Cyto c electron transfer was observed. This observation could be explained by previous reports that the base stacking was disturbed to a much greater extent because the cytosine base opposite the AP site was flipped out extra-helically. The binding of a hydrogen bond-forming ligand, 2-amino-7-methyl-1,8-naphthyridine (AMND), to cytosine opposite the AP site could significantly improve the electrochemical behavior of Cyto c, indicating effective base stacking due to the AMND binding. The present method demonstrates an easy way for investigating the binding of a small ligand to the AP site through DNA-mediated charge transfer.     

Nuclear quantum effects and hydrogen bonding in liquids

We have employed ab initio path integral molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the role of nuclear quantum effects on the strength of hydrogen bonds in liquid hydrogen fluoride. Nuclear quantum effects are shown to be responsible for a stronger hydrogen bond and an enhanced dipole-dipole interaction, which lead, in turn, to a shortening of the H...F intrachain distance. The simulation results are analyzed in terms of the electronic density shifts with respect to a purely classical treatment of the nuclei. The observed enhanced hydrogen-bond interaction, which arises from a coupling of intra- and intermolecular effects, should be a general phenomenon occurring in all hydrogen-bonded systems.     

核酸碱基的非谐性振动:正规及错配碱基对的一维和二维红外光谱及其结构基础

用量子化学计算研究了正规Watson-Crick碱基对和四例典型的错配碱基对.对碱基单体和二聚体进行了详细的非谐性频率分析,以揭示其结构方面的一些振动特征.研究发现这些振动特征能在模拟的一维和二维红外光谱中很好地表现出来.利用势能分布研究了所选简正模式的离域化程度,发现从孤立的碱基单体到参与氢键的二聚体,模式的离域化程度变化很大;同时,这些模式的非谐性常数也发生了相应的改变.以人们通常认为的位于红外光谱中6-μm波长区域的羰基伸缩模式为例进行了探讨.