Molecular modeling of class I and II alleles of the major histocompatibility complex in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis>

Knowledge of the 3D structure of the binding groove of major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules, which play a central role in the immune response, is crucial to shed light into the details of peptide recognition and polymorphism. This work reports molecular modeling studies aimed at providing 3D models for two class I and two class II MHC alleles from Salmo salar (Sasa), as the lack of experimental structures of fish MHC molecules represents a serious limitation to understand the specific preferences for peptide binding. The reliability of the structural models built up using bioinformatic tools was explored by means of molecular dynamics simulations of their complexes with representative peptides, and the energetics of the MHC-peptide interaction was determined by combining molecular mechanics interaction energies and implicit continuum solvation calculations. The structural models revealed the occurrence of notable differences in the nature of residues at specific positions in the binding groove not only between human and Sasa MHC proteins, but also between different Sasa alleles. Those differences lead to distinct trends in the structural features that mediate the binding of peptides to both class I and II MHC molecules, which are qualitatively reflected in the relative binding affinities. Overall, the structural models presented here are a valuable starting point to explore the interactions between MHC receptors and pathogen-specific interactions and to design vaccines against viral pathogens.     

Effect of glucocorticoids and their complexes with apolipoprotein A‐I on the secondary structure of eukaryotic DNA

The tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex specifically interacts with eukaryotic DNA isolated from rat liver. This interaction is highly cooperative and of a saturating nature. One DNA molecule binds about 54 molecules of the complex. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering has shown that hydrogen bonds between nitrous bases are destroyed and that single‐stranded structures are formed at the interaction of the tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex with eukaryotic DNA. The most probable site of binding the tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex with DNA is the sequence of the CC(GCC)_n type entering the structure of many genes, among them the structure of the human apolipoprotein A‐I gene. Oligonucleotide of this type has been synthesized. The association constant (K_ass) of its complexation was shown to be 1.66 · 10⁶ M^?1. Substitution of tetrahydrocortisol for cortisol in the complex results in a considerable decrease of K_ass. IR‐spectroscopy study has shown that the interaction of tetrahydrocortisol with oligonucleotide CC(GCC)_3–5 is accompanied by the formation of hydrogen bonds via the CO‐NH, PO₂, and OH groups of desoxycytidinephosphate. The tetrahydrocortisol–apolipoprotein A‐I complex alters the DNA secondary structure formed at the interaction with the hormone, causing the structural transition “order → tangle.” It is assumed that in the GC‐pairs of the given DNA sequence, tetrahydrocortisol initiates the rupture of hydrogen bonds, while the hydrophobic interactions between nitrous bases and apoA‐I intensify this process. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Polymorphism and phase transformation in the dimethyl sulfoxide solvate of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐1,4‐diiodobenzene

A new polymorph (form II) is reported for the 1:1 dimethyl sulfoxide solvate of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐1,4‐diiodobenzene (TFDIB·DMSO or C₆F₄I₂·C₂H₆SO). The structure is similar to that of a previously reported polymorph (form I) [Britton (2003). Acta Cryst. E 59 , o1332–o1333], containing layers of TFDIB molecules with DMSO molecules between, accepting I…O halogen bonds from two TFDIB molecules. Re‐examination of form I over the temperature range 300–120 K shows that it undergoes a phase transformation around 220 K, where the DMSO molecules undergo re‐orientation and become ordered. The unit cell expands by ca 0.5 Å along the c axis and contracts by ca 1.0 Å along the a axis, and the space‐group symmetry is reduced from Pnma to P2₁2₁2₁. Refinement of form I against data collected at 220 K captures the (average) structure of the crystal prior to the phase transformation, with the DMSO molecules showing four distinct disorder components, corresponding to an overlay of the 297 and 120 K structures. Assessment of the intermolecular interaction energies using the PIXEL method indicates that the various orientations of the DMSO molecules have very similar total interaction energies with the molecules of the TFDIB framework. The phase transformation is driven by interactions between DMSO molecules, whereby re‐orientation at lower temperature yields significantly closer and more stabilizing interactions between neighbouring DMSO molecules, which lock in an ordered arrangement along the shortened a axis.     

Microfluidic biofunctionalisation protocols to form multi‐valent interactions for cell rolling and phenotype modification investigations

In this study, we propose a fast, simple method to biofunctionalise microfluidic systems for cellomic investigations based on micro‐fluidic protocols. Many available processes either require expensive and time‐consuming protocols or are incompatible with the fabrication of microfluidic systems. Our method differs from the existing since it is applicable to an assembled system, uses few microlitres of reagents and it is based on the use of microbeads. The microbeads have specific surface moieties to link the biomolecules and couple cell receptors. Furthermore, the microbeads serve as arm spacer and offer the benefit of the multi‐valent interaction. Microfluidics was adapted together with topology and biochemistry surface modifications to offer the microenvironment for cellomic studies. Based on this principle, we exploit the streptavidin–biotin interaction to couple antibodies to the biofunctionalised microfluidic environment within 5 h using 200 μL of reagents and biomolecules. We selected the antibodies able to form complexes with the MHC class I (MHC‐I) molecules present on the cell membrane and involved in the immune surveillance. To test the microfluidic system, tumour cell lines (RMA) were rolled across the coupled antibodies to recognise and strip MHC‐I molecules. As result, we show that cell rolling performed inside a microfluidic chamber functionalised with beads and the opportune antibody facilitate the removal of MHC class I molecules. We showed that the level of median fluorescent intensity of the MHC‐I molecules is 300 for cells treated in a not biofunctionalised surface. It decreased to 275 for cells treated in a flat biofunctionalised surface and to 250 for cells treated on a surface where biofunctionalised microbeads were immobilised. The cells with reduced expression of MHC‐I molecules showed, after cytotoxicity tests, susceptibility 3.5 times higher than normal cells.     

Linear viscoelastic studies on a transient network formed by host–guest interaction

A host–guest (HG) polymer was prepared through the radical polymerization of acrylamide monomers (AAm) with a small amount of host‐guest linkers, β‐cyclodextrin‐attached AAm (βCD‐AAm) and adamantane‐attached AAm (Ad‐AAm). The linear viscoelastic and swelling measurements indicated that the resulting HG polymer swollen in water was gel‐like, although the HG polymer is conceptually a linear chain having only temporary crosslinkings. NMR measurements indicated that half of the βCD units incorporated in the HG polymer do not form the inclusion complex with Ad. Rheological analysis of the HG polymer revealed that HG interaction retarded the Rouse modes of networks but did not affect the level of the plateau modulus, which was simply described by the entanglements of AAm chains. This result was confirmed with the reference experiment, in which Ad were capped by competitive βCD molecules. Furthermore, the PAAm polymer with only βCD units (no Ad) was found to exhibit gel‐like behavior. This behavior was attributed to the formation of a small amount of rotaxane structure, which act as permanent crosslinkings, based on 2D NMR data. The HG polymer is basically an entanglement network with temporary sticky points due to the HG interaction, and a few permanent branching points. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 1109–1117     

Darstellung,Charakterisierung und Struktur funktionalisierter Fluorphosphaalkene des Typs R3E–P=C(F)NEt2 (R/E = Me/Si,Me/Ge,CF3/Ge,Me/Sn)

Preparation, Characterization, and Structure of Functionalized Fluorophosphaalkenes of the Type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ (R/E = Me/Si, Me/Ge, CF₃/Ge, Me/Sn) P‐functionalized 1‐diethylamino‐1‐fluoro‐2‐phosphaalkenes of the type R₃E–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R/E = Me/Si ( 2 ), Me/Ge ( 3 ), CF₃/Ge ( 4 ), Me/Sn ( 5 )] are prepared by reaction of HP=C(F)NEt₂ ( 1 , E/Z = 18/82) with R₃EX (X = I, Cl) in the presence of triethylamine as base, exclusively as Z‐Isomers. 2–5 are thermolabile, so that only the more stable representatives 2 and 4 can be isolated in pure form and fully characterized. 3 and 5 decompose already at temperatures above –10 °C, but are clearly identified by ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR‐measurements. The Z configuration is established on the basis of typical NMR data, an X‐ray diffraction analysis of 4 and ab initio calculations for E and Z configurations of the model compound Me₃Si–P=C(F)NMe₂. The relatively stable derivative 2 is used as an educt for reactions with pivaloyl‐, adamantoyl‐, and benzoylchloride, respectively, which by cleavage of the Si–P bond yield the push/pull phosphaalkenes RC(O)–P=C(F)NEt₂ [R = tBu ( 6 ), Ad ( 7 ), Ph ( 8 )], in which π‐delocalization with the P=C double bond occurs both with the lone pair on nitrogen and with the carbonyl group.     

Prediction of peptide binding to a major histocompatibility complex class I molecule based on docking simulation

Binding between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and immunogenic epitopes is one of the most important processes for cell-mediated immunity. Consequently, computational prediction of amino acid sequences of MHC class I binding peptides from a given sequence may lead to important biomedical advances. In this study, an efficient structure-based method for predicting peptide binding to MHC class I molecules was developed, in which the binding free energy of the peptide was evaluated by two individual docking simulations. An original penalty function and restriction of degrees of freedom were determined by analysis of 361 published X-ray structures of the complex and were then introduced into the docking simulations. To validate the method, calculations using a 50-amino acid sequence as a prediction target were performed. In 27 calculations, the binding free energy of the known peptide was within the top 5 of 166 peptides generated from the 50-amino acid sequence. Finally, demonstrative calculations using a whole sequence of a protein as a prediction target were performed. These data clearly demonstrate high potential of this method for predicting peptide binding to MHC class I molecules.     

Structural effects on the solid‐state photodimerization of 2‐pyridone derivatives in inclusion compounds

The structures of six crystalline inclusion compounds between various host molecules and three guest molecules based on the 2‐pyridone skeleton are described. The six compounds are 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid–2‐pyridone (1/2), C₁₄H₁₀O₄·2C₅H₅NO, (I–a), 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid–4‐methyl‐2‐pyridone (1/2), C₁₄H₁₀O₄·2C₆H₇NO, (I–c), 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid–6‐methyl‐2‐pyridone (1/2), C₁₄H₁₀O₄·2C₆H₇NO, (I–d), 1,1,6,6‐tetraphenyl‐2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐diol–1‐methyl‐2‐pyridone (1/2), C₃₀H₂₂O₂·2C₆H₇NO, (II–b), 1,1,6,6‐tetraphenyl‐2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐diol–4‐methy‐2‐pyridone (1/2), C₃₀H₂₂O₂·2C₆H₇NO, (II–c), and 4,4′,4′′‐(ethane‐1,1,1‐triyl)triphenol–6‐methyl‐2‐pyridone–water (1/3/1), C₂₀H₁₈O₃·3C₆H₇NO·H₂O, (III–d). In two of the compounds, (I–a) and (I–d), the host molecules lie about crystallographic twofold axes. In two other compounds, (II–b) and (II–c), the host molecules lie across inversion centers. In all cases, the guest molecules are hydrogen bonded to the host molecules through O—H...O=C hydrogen bonds [the range of O...O distances is 2.543 (2)–2.843 (2) Å. The pyridone moieties form dimers through N—H...O=C hydrogen bonds in five of the compounds [the range of N...O distances is 2.763 (2)–2.968 (2) Å]. In four compounds, (I–a), (I–c), (I–d) and (II–c), the molecules are arranged in extended zigzag chains formed via host–guest hydrogen bonding. In five of the compounds, the guest molecules are arranged in parallel pairs on top of each other, related by inversion centers. However, none of these compounds underwent photodimerization in the solid state upon irradiation. In one of the crystalline compounds, (III–d), the guest molecules are arranged in stacks with one disordered molecule. The unsuccessful dimerization is attributed to the large interatomic distances between the potentially reactive atoms [the range of distances is 4.027 (4)–4.865 (4) Å] and to the bad overlap, expressed by the lateral shift between the orbitals of these atoms [the range of the shifts from perfect overlap is 1.727 (4)–3.324 (4) Å]. The bad overlap and large distances between potentially photoreactive atoms are attributed to the hydrogen‐bonding schemes, because the interactions involved in hydrogen bonding are stronger than those in π–π interactions.     

Mono‐ and dinuclear CuII complexes of the benzyldipicolylamine (BDPA) ligand: crystal structure,synthesis and characterization

The crystal structures of mono‐ and dinuclear Cu^II trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) complexes with benzyldipicolylamine (BDPA) are described. From equimolar amounts of Cu(triflate)₂ and BDPA, a water‐bound Cu^II mononuclear complex, aqua(benzyldipicolylamine‐κ³N ,N′ ,N ′′)bis(trifluoromethanesulfonato‐κO )copper(II) tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, [Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂(C₁₉H₁₉N₃)(H₂O)]·C₄H₈O, (I), and a triflate‐bridged Cu^II dinuclear complex, bis(μ‐trifluoromethanesulfonato‐κ²O :O ′)bis[(benzyldipicolylamine‐κ³N ,N′ ,N ′′)(trifluoromethanesulfonato‐κO )copper(II)], [Cu₂(CF₃SO₃)₄(C₁₉H₁₉N₃)₂], were synthesized. The presence of residual moisture in the reaction medium afforded water‐bound complex (I), whereas dinuclear complex (II) was synthesized from an anhydrous reaction medium. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis reveals that the Cu^II centres adopt slightly distorted octahedral geometries in both complexes. The metal‐bound water molecule in (I) is involved in intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds with triflate ligands and tetrahydrofuran solvent molecules. In (II), weak intermolecular C—H…F(triflate) and C—H…O(triflate) hydrogen bonds stabilize the crystal lattice. Complexes (I) and (II) were also characterized fully using FT–IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and elemental analysis.     

Effect of chain length on the conformation and T cell recognition of synthetic hemagglutinin fragments

Circular dichroism and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies were used to compare the conformational mobility of 13-mer peptides covering the 317-329 region of the envelope protein hemagglutinin of human influenza A virus subtypes H1, H2 and H3 with that of their truncated deca- and nonapeptide analogs. These peptides were demonstrated to bind to the murine I-Ed major histocompatibility complex encoded class II and human HLA-B*2705 class I molecules. Despite the amino acid substitutions in the three 13-mer subtype sequences, no significant differences in the conformational properties could be shown. Deletion of the N-terminal three residues resulted in a shift to an increased alpha-helical conformer population in the 317-329 H1 peptide and the breakage of the 3(10) or weakly H-bonded (nascent) alpha-helix in the H2 and H3 peptides. The conformational change observed upon deletion did not influence the efficiency of I-Ed peptide interaction, however, the C-terminal Arg had a beneficial effect both on MHC class II and class I binding without causing any remarkable change in solution conformation.     

Two 1,4‐dihydropyridine derivatives with potential calcium‐channel antagonist activity

The title compounds, benzyl 4‐(3‐chloro‐2‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H‐cyclopenta[b]pyridine‐3‐carboxylate, C₂₃H₁₉ClFNO₃, (I), and 3‐pyridylmethyl 4‐[2‐fluoro‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐2,6,6‐trimethyl‐5‐oxo‐1,4,5,6,7,8‐hexahydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₂₆H₂₄F₄N₂O₃, (II), belong to a class of 1,4‐dihydropyridines whose members sometimes display calcium modulatory properties. The 1,4‐dihydropyridine ring in each structure has a shallower than usual shallow‐boat conformation and is nearly planar in (I). In each structure, the halogen‐substituted benzene ring is oriented such that the halogen substituents are in a synperiplanar orientation with respect to the 1,4‐dihydropyridine ring plane. The oxocyclopentene ring in (I) is planar, while the oxocyclohexene ring in (II) has a half‐chair conformation, which is less commonly observed than the envelope conformation usually found in related compounds. In (I), the frequently observed intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond between the amine group and the carbonyl O atom of the oxocyclopentene ring of a neighbouring molecule links the molecules into extended chains; there are no other significant intermolecular interactions. By contrast, the amine group in (II) forms an N—H...N hydrogen bond with the pyridine ring N atom of a neighbouring molecule. Additional C—H...O interactions complete a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network. The halogen‐substituted benzene ring has a weak intramolecular π–π interaction with the pyridine ring. A stronger π–π interaction occurs between the 1,4‐dihydropyridine rings of centrosymmetrically related molecules.     

Dynamic flexibility of a peptide-binding groove of human HLA-DR1 class II MHC molecules: normal mode analysis of the antigen peptide-class II MHC complex

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has tolerance for binding longer antigen peptides than those bound by class I MHC. In this paper, a normal mode analysis on HLA-DR1 class II MHC involving an antigen peptide indicated that the peptide-binding groove had some different dynamic characteristics from that of HLA-A2 class I MHC. The dynamic changes in the class I groove with removal of the bound peptide were limited primarily to the central region and the C-terminal side (corresponding to the C-terminal side of the bound peptide) of the groove, while the dynamic changes in the class II groove with removal of the bound peptide extended to the whole of the groove, and were especially remarkable around a strand located in the N-terminal side (corresponding to the N-terminal side of the bound peptide) of the groove. These results suggest that the N-terminal side of the class II groove is more flexible than the same side of the class I groove, and this flexibility may allow some N-terminal residues of the bound peptide to extend outside the class II groove. Definite anti-correlative motions with removal of the bound peptide appeared between two alpha-helical regions of class II MHC as in the case of class I MHC. These motions of the class II groove may play an important role in obtaining "a flexible dynamic fit" against diverse longer peptides both of whose terminals extend outside the groove.     

Dynamic interaction among the platform domain and two membrane-proximal immunoglobulin-like domains of class I major histocompatibility complex: normal mode analysis

Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules have three domains, a platform domain and two membrane-proximal immunoglobulin-like domains, an alpha3 domain and a beta2-immunoglobulin (beta2m). To understand the dynamic interactions among the three domains, we simulated the behavior of a partial model deficient in beta2m and another model deficient in the alpha3 domain, by normal mode analysis. As a result, the partial model deficient in beta2m was more flexible in interdomain conformation than the other model. The lowest frequency modes (<2 cm(-1)) observed for the simulations of the partial model deficient in beta2m showed clear interdomain motions as if each domain moved like a rigid body. Such low frequencies and clear interdomain motions were not observed for the simulations of the other model, therefore the interdomain flexibility of the partial model deficient in beta2m may be due to the lowest frequency modes (<2 cm(-1)). These results suggest that beta2m contributes to maintaining the interdomain conformation of class I MHC molecules more than the alpha3 domain does, and may offer convincing evidence to support the notion that the alpha3 domain and beta2m do not have an equal influence on the structural stability of class I MHC molecules.     

A Xenon‐129 Biosensor for Monitoring MHC–Peptide Interactions

Caged in : The formation of a complex between a peptide ligand and a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II protein is detected by a ¹²⁹Xe biosensor. Cryptophane molecules that trap Xe atoms are modified with a hemagglutinin (HA) peptide, which binds to the MHC protein. The interaction can be monitored by an NMR chemical shift change of cage–HA bound ¹²⁹Xe.

     

Theoretical Study of the Interplay between Lithium Bond and Hydrogen Bond in Complexes Involved with HLi and HCN

The lithium‐ and hydrogen‐bonded complex of HLi? NCH? NCH is studied with ab initio calculations. The optimized structure, vibrational frequencies, and binding energy are calculated at the MP2 level with 6‐311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The interplay between lithium bonding and hydrogen bonding in the complex is investigated with these properties. The effect of lithium bonding on the properties of hydrogen bonding is larger than that of hydrogen bonding on the properties of lithium bonding. In the trimer, the binding energies are increased by about 19 % and 61 % for the lithium and hydrogen bonds, respectively. A big cooperative energy (?5.50 kcal mol^?1) is observed in the complex. Both the charge transfer and induction effect due to the electrostatic interaction are responsible for the cooperativity in the trimer. The effect of HCN chain length on the lithium bonding has been considered. The natural bond orbital and atoms in molecules analyses indicate that the electrostatic force plays a main role in the lithium bonding. A many‐body interaction analysis has also been performed for HLi? (NCH)_N (N=2–5) systems.     

四（对叔丁基）硫杂杯[4]芳烃选择性包合四氟硼酸分子：晶体结构和理论研究

X－射线晶体衍射测定了4－(对叔丁基)硫杂杯[4]芳烃选择性地包合四氟硼酸分子。晶体学数据为：C₄₀H₄₉O₄S₄BF₄，M_r=808.88， 四方锥， 空间群 P4/nmm，a=1.5887(2), b=1.5887(2), c=0.8428(0) nm, V=2.127(2) nm³, Z=2, D_c=1.263 g·cm^-3, R₁=0.0405, _WR[I>2σ(I)]=0.1218. ¹⁹F NMR谱中，在-151.4 ppm处出现的峰，证实了四氟硼酸的存在。用Bader的分子中的原子理论方法计算了分子结构中的非共价键相互作用。结果显示，在四氟硼酸包合物中，除了F…H－C氢键作用和阳离子－阴离子的静电作用外，F^δ--C^δ+静电作用的存在也对4－(对叔丁基)硫杂杯[4]芳烃憎水空腔包合氟硼酸分子起到了稳定作用。     

Mechanism of the Thermal Z⇌E Isomerization of a Stable Silene; Experiment and Theory

The E and Z geometric isomers of a stable silene (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)Si=CH(1‐Ad) ( 1 ) were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The thermal Z to E isomerization of 1 was studied both experimentally and computationally using DFT methods. The measured activation parameters for the 1Z ? 1E isomerization are: E_a=24.4 kcal mol^?1, ΔH^≠=23.7 kcal mol^?1, ΔS^≠=?13.2 e.u. Based on comparison of the experimental and DFT calculated (at BP86‐D3BJ/def2‐TZVP(‐f)//BP86‐D3BJ/def2‐TZVP(‐f)) activation parameters, the Z?E isomerization of 1 proceeds through an unusual (unprecedented for alkenes) migration–rotation–migration mechanism (via a silylene intermediate), rather than through the classic rotation mechanism common for alkenes.     

Synthesis and clustering of supramolecular “graft” polymers

The synthesis and melt rheology of supramolecular poly(isobutylene) polymers bearing statistically distributed hydrogen‐bonding moieties is reported, aiming at understanding the formation of the underlying supramolecular networks for self‐healing polymers. Two different hydrogen bonds were incorporated into a poly(isobutylene) (PIB) copolymer, one based on a (weak) pyridinium/pyridine interaction, the other based on a (stronger) 2,6‐diaminotriazine/thymine interaction. A direct copolymerization based on living cationic polymerization of isobutene and the comonomers 1 , 2 , and 4 in amounts of 1 mol % lead to the copolymers PIB‐ 1 , PIB‐ 2 , and PIB‐ 4 with a content of ～1 mol % of comonomer and molecular weights ranging from ～2000 to 19,000 g mol^?1 (M_w/M_n ～ 1.2–1.5). Subsequent azide/alkyne “click” chemistry enabled the attachment of 2,6‐diaminotriazine‐ and thymine‐moieties to yield the copolymers PIB‐ 5 , PIB‐ 6 , and PIB‐ 7 . Proof of the statistical incorporation of ～1 mol % of hydrogen‐bonding moieties was achieved by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization measurements. The true presence of a supramolecular network in PIB‐ 1 (pyridinium/pyridine interaction) as well as with 1/1 blends of PIBs interacting via the 2,6‐diaminotriazine/thymine interaction (PIB‐ 5 /PIB‐ 6 ) was proven via the increasing plateau modulus with increasing molecular weights (5.5k, 9.9k, 12.4k, 16k, and 19k). Dynamics of the hydrogen bonds in the melt state was investigated by determining the effective cluster lifetime ( τ ) observing a clear difference in the (weaker) pyridinium/pyridine interaction ( τ ～ 1 s) to the 2,6‐ (stronger) diamintriazine/thymine interaction ( τ ～ 100 s). The so‐generated materials will be useful as a basis for self‐healing polymers, as dynamics plays a major role in such polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012