Non-Watson-Crick base pairing in RNA. quantum chemical analysis of the cis Watson-Crick/sugar edge base pair family

Large RNA molecules exhibit an astonishing variability of base-pairing patterns, while many of the RNA base-pairing families have no counterparts in DNA. The cis Watson-Crick/sugar edge (cis WC/SE) RNA base pairing is investigated by ab initio quantum chemical calculations. A detailed structural and energetic characterization of all 13 crystallographically detected members of this family is provided by means of B3LYP/6-31G and RIMP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations. Further, a prediction is made for the remaining 3 cis WC/SE base pairs which are yet to be seen in the experiments. The interaction energy calculations point at the key role of the 2'-OH group in stabilizing the sugar-base contact and predict all 16 cis WC/SE base-pairing patterns to be nearly isoenergetic. The perfect correlation of the main geometrical parameters in the gas-phase optimized and X-ray structures shows that the principle of isosteric substitutions in RNA is rooted from the intrinsic structural similarity of the isolated base pairs. The present quantum chemical calculations for the first time analyze base pairs involving the ribose 2'-OH group and unambiguously correlate the structural information known from experiments with the energetics of interactions. The calculations further show that the relative importance and absolute value of the dispersion energy in the cis WC/SE base pairs are enhanced compared to the standard base pairs. This may by an important factor contributing to the strength of such interactions when RNA folds in its polar environment. The calculations further demonstrate that the Cornell et al. force field commonly used in molecular modeling and simulations provides satisfactory performance for this type of RNA interactions.     

Sugar edge/sugar edge base pairs in RNA: stabilities and structures from quantum chemical calculations

Cis and trans sugar edge/sugar edge (SE/SE) binding patterns are essential building units of RNAs. For example, SE/SE interactions form the A-minor motifs, the most important tertiary interaction type in functional RNAs. This study provides an in-depth structure and stability analysis for these two base pair families. Gas-phase-optimized geometries are reported for 12 cis and 7 trans SE/SE base pairs and contrasted to their X-ray counterparts. Interaction energies are computed at the RIMP2 level of theory using the density-functional-theory-optimized geometries. There is a good overall agreement between the optimized and X-ray geometries of the cis SE/SE base pairs. In contrast, only three of the seven trans SE/SE binding patterns could be optimized without a significant distortion of the X-ray geometry. Note, however, that many SE/SE base pairs participate in broader networks of interactions; thus it is not surprising to see some of them to deviate from the X-ray geometry in a complete isolation. Computed interaction energies reveal that all 12 known cis SE/SE binding patterns are very stable. Among the trans SE/SE binding patterns, only the rG/rG, rG/rC, and rA/rG base pairs are sufficiently stable in the crystal geometry. Prediction has been made for some structures not yet detected by crystallography, namely, cis rC/rC, rG/rC, rG/rU, and rU/rU and trans rG/rA base pairs. Interestingly, the new cis SE/SE binding patterns are not necessarily isosteric with the remaining 12 members of this family. The trans rG/rA base pair represents a viable option for base pairing in RNA to be identified by future X-ray studies. In a complete lack of structural information, prediction of other unknown members of the trans SE/SE family was not attempted. Analysis of the interaction energies shows a very large electron correlation component of the interaction energy, pointing at the elevated role of dispersion energy as compared to other types of base pairs. This likely is profitable for stabilization of SE/SE binding patterns in polar environments and could be one of the reasons why the A-minor motif is the leading type of tertiary interactions in RNAs.     

Principles of RNA base pairing: structures and energies of the trans Watson-Crick/sugar edge base pairs

Due to the presence of the 2'-OH hydroxyl group of ribose, RNA molecules utilize an astonishing variability of base pairing patterns to build up their structures and perform the biological functions. Many of the key RNA base pairing families have no counterparts in DNA. In this study, the trans Watson-Crick/sugar edge (trans WC/SE) RNA base pair family has been characterized using quantum chemical and molecular mechanics calculations. Gas-phase optimized geometries from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and RIMP2 interaction energies are reported for the 10 crystallographically identified trans WC/SE base pairing patterns. Further, stable structures are predicted for all of the remaining six possible members of this family not seen in RNAs so far. Among these novel six base pairs, the computations substantially refine two structures suggested earlier based on simple isosteric considerations. For two additional trans WC/SE base pairs predicted in this study, no arrangement was suggested before. Thus, our study brings a complete set of trans WC/SE base pairing patterns. The present results are also contrasted with calculations reported recently for the cis WC/SE base pair family. The computed base pair sizes are in sound correlation with the X-ray data for all WC/SE pairing patterns including both their cis and trans isomers. This confirms that the isostericity of RNA base pairs, which is one of the key factors determining the RNA sequence conservation patterns, originates in the properties of the isolated base pairs. In contrast to the cis structures, however, the isosteric subgroups of the trans WC/SE family differ not only in their H-bonding patterns and steric dimensions but also in the intrinsic strength of the intermolecular interactions. The distribution of the total interaction energy over the sugar-base and base-base contributions is controlled by the cis-trans isomerism.     

Theoretical investigation on DNA/RNA base pairs mediated by copper, silver, and gold cations

B3LYP density functional based computations were performed in order to characterize the interactions present in some Cu(+), Ag(+), and Au(+) metal ion-mediated DNA and RNA base pairs from both structural and electronic points of view. Examined systems involve as ligands canonical Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen and Wobble base pairs. Two artificial Hoogsteen base pairs were also taken into account. Binding energy values indicate that complexes involving silver cations are less stable than those in which copper or gold are present, and propose a similar behaviour for these two latter ions. The nature of the bond linking metal ions and bases was described by the NBO analysis that suggests metal coordinative interactions to be covalent. An evaluation of the dispersion contributions for the investigated systems was performed with the B3LYP-D3 functional.     

Quantum-chemical study of the effects of noncovalent interactions on the nuclear magnetic screening constants of pyrimidine base associates

The effects of weak noncovalent interactions on the nuclear magnetic screening (NMS) constants (σ ¹H), (σ ¹³C) and charge distribution (q _t ) on atoms in van der Waals model associates of unsubstituted and substituted pyrimidines and substituted uracil are considered. The NMS constants were calculated by the UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) with GIAO functions. The correlation dependences of the ¹H and ¹³C σ constants on the charge q on atoms whre constructed. It were shown that they can be represented as polynomials that include the terms that are linear and quadratic relative to the charge. The relations obtained in this way are similar in form and close in magnitude to the coefficients of the known Buckingham and Augspurger functions that describe the electric field effects on the nuclear magnetic screening constants. It was found that the coefficients in these polynomials have a definite physical sense in that they characterize nuclear magnetic screening and the “screening polarizability” tensor in the unperturbed molecule and associate, respectively. The NMS constants and charge distribution in pyrimidine base associates and accordingly the coefficients that reflect their values in polynomials depend on the form, size, and composition of the associate and can vary significantly depending on the position of the pyrimidine base in the associate.     

Theoretical study of 31P, 31P coupling constants in cyclotriphosphazenes

Several scalar coupling constants (mainly 31P, 31P) were calculated for 10 cyclotriphosphazenes and compared with experimental results when available. Although the experimental values cannot be reproduced, the calculated values are proportional to the experimental values. Some difficult cases, such as 19F, 19F couplings, are discussed.     

Measurement of long-range 1H-19F scalar coupling constants and their glycosidic torsion dependence in 5-fluoropyrimidine-substituted RNA

Long-range scalar 5J(H1',F) couplings were observed in 5-fluoropyrimidine-substituted RNA. We developed a novel S3E-19F-alpha,beta-edited NOESY experiment for quantitation of these long-range scalar 5J(H1',F) couplings, where the J-couplings can be extracted from inspection of intraresidual (H1',H6) NOE cross-peaks. Quantum chemical calculations were exploited to investigate the relation between scalar couplings and conformations around the glycosidic bond in oligonucleotides. The theoretical dependence of the observed 5J(H1',F) couplings on the torsion angle chi can be described by a generalized Karplus relationship. The corresponding density functional theory (DFT) analysis is outlined. Additional NMR experiments facilitating the resonance assignments of 5-fluoropyrimidine-substituted RNAs are described, and chemical shift changes due to altered shielding in the presence of fluorine-19 (19F) are presented.     

The influence of chain elongation on Karplus-type relationships: a DFT study of scalar coupling constants in polyacetylene derivatives

The coupling constants of a series of acetylenic derivatives have been calculated using the finite perturbation method. In the case of dimethylated derivatives a Karplus-type relationship has been obtained for coupling constants of hydrogen atoms separated up to 15 bonds. Additional relationships have been obtained between the interatomic distances and the coupling constants.     

Theoretical study of N quadrupole coupling constants in some NO-containing complexes: N2O3 and FNO

The nuclear quadrupole coupling constants at nitrogen centers have been computed for N₂O₃ and FNO by employing the complete-active-space self-consistent field, internally contracted multireference configuration interaction and single-configuration coupled-cluster methods with correlation-consistent basis sets at the levels of attainable accuracy. To examine the overall quality of the wave functions used in our calculations, also electric dipole moments and potential energy characteristics were calculated and compared with available experimental and recent theoretical data. The effects of the choice of the basis set and reference configuration space were investigated. The robust changes in the electric field gradients occurring in the course of complex formation from isolated subunits were interpreted in terms of wave function composition. Our calculations confirm the assignment of the ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants to nuclear centers in N₂O₃ provided by the microwave measurements of Cox et al. [A.P. Cox, J. Randell, A.C. Legon, Chem. Phys. Lett. 126 (1986) 481.].     

Theoretical investigation of the EPR hyperfine coupling constants in amino derivatives

The HFCCs of the radical cations of a series of amines have been determined at different levels of approximation including the CISD, QCISD, and CCSD ab initio correlated methods and density functional theory approaches employing the B3LYP, PBE0, BHandHLYP, TPSS, and BLYP exchange-correlation functionals. Although quantitative differences with respect to experimental data have been noticed, these are mostly systematic within a given class of N and H atoms. As a consequence, these different levels of theory are reliable in most cases to account for the substituent and structure effects on the HFCCs of amines. Linear regression fits have then been performed to reach quantitative agreement between the theoretical and experimental values. This has finally been substantiated by considering the EPR signal of the recently synthesized radical cations of two derivatives of [10-(4-aminophenyl)-9-anthryl]aniline as well as in confirming a recent assignment of the EPR signal of n-propylamine.     

Theoretical study on the structure, stability, and electronic properties of the guanine-Zn-cytosine base pair in M-DNA

M-DNA is a type of metalated DNA that forms at high pH and in the presence of Zn, Ni, and Co, with the metals placed in between each base pair, as in G-Zn-C. Experiments have found that M-DNA could be a promising candidate for a variety of nanotechnological applications, as it is speculated that the metal d-states enhance the conductivity, but controversy still clouds these findings. In this paper, we carry out a comprehensive ab initio study of eight G-Zn-C models in the gas phase to help discern the structure and electronic properties of Zn-DNA. Specifically, we study whether a model prefers to be planar and has electronic properties that correlate with Zn-DNA having a metallic-like conductivity. Out of all the studied models, there is only one which preserves its planarity upon full geometry optimization. Nevertheless, starting from this model, one can deduce a parallel Zn-DNA architecture only. This duplex would contain the imino proton, in contrast to what has been proposed experimentally. Among the nonplanar models, there is one that requires less than 8 kcal/mol to flatten (both in gas and solvent conditions), and we propose that it is a plausible model for building an antiparallel duplex. In this duplex, the imino proton would be replaced by Zn, in accordance with experimental models. Neither planar nor nonplanar models have electronic properties that correlate with Zn-DNA having a metallic-like conductivity due to Zn d-states. To understand whether density functional theory (DFT) can describe appropriately the electronic properties of M-DNAs, we have investigated the electronic properties of G-Co-C base pairs. We have found that when self-interaction corrections (SIC) are not included the HOMO state contains Co d-levels, whereas these levels are moved below the HOMO state when SIC are considered. This result indicates that caution should be exercised when studying the electronic properties of M-DNAs with functionals that do not account for strong electronic correlations.     

Probing the flexibility of internal rotation in silylated phenols with the NMR scalar spin-spin coupling constants

The rotation of a trimethylsiloxy (TMSO) group in three silylated phenols (with three different ortho substituents -H, -CH3, and -C(CH3)3) was studied with the NMR (n)J(Si,C), n = 2, 3, 4, 5, scalar spin-spin coupling between the (29)Si nucleus of the TMSO group and the (13)C nuclei of the phenyl ring. The internal rotation potential calculated with the B3LYP and MP2 calculation methods including the effect of a solvent environment (gas phase, chloroform, and water) was used for the calculation of the dynamical averages of the scalar coupling constants in the framework of the rigid-bender formalism. Solvent effects, the quality of the rotational potential, and the applicability of the classical molecular dynamic to the problem is discussed. Quantum effects have a sizable impact on scalar couplings, particularly for the internal rotational states well localized within the wells of the potential surfaces for the TMSO group. The overall difference between the experimental and theoretical scalar couplings calculated for the global energy-minima structures (static model) decreases substantially for both model potentials (B3LYP, MP2) when the molecular motion of the TMSO group is taken into account. The calculated data indicate that the inclusion of molecular motion is necessary for the accurate calculation of the scalar coupling constants and their reliable structural interpretation for any system which possesses a large-amplitude motion.     

Theoretical investigation of the hydrogen atom transfer in the hydrated A-T base pair

The hydrated A-T base pair has been studied in order to understand the structural modifications and their electronic rearrangements induced by the movement of the hydrogen atoms in the H-bonds. The comparison of these results with that of the nonhydrated system can explain the role of the H-bonds of the water molecules in this system. Two naïve schemes have been considered, one where the hydrogen bonds of the water molecules are only indirectly involved in the hydrogen atoms transfer between the bases and another where the water molecules are directly involved in this transfer. The results support the idea that the real mechanisms are more complexes than these schemes. Some new stable structures of the A-T(H₂O)₂ and the A-T(H₂O)₄ systems have been found and the mechanisms of their generations have been analysed.     

Ab initio study of the NMR shielding constants and spin-spin coupling constants in cyclopropene

Summary Ab initio calculations of parameters which characterize the NMR spectrum are presented for the cyclopropene molecule. The London orbitals CHF (or GIAO-CHF, Gauge-Independent Atomic Orbital Coupled Hartree-Fock) results for the shielding constants are in good agreement with the experimental data, accurately determined, and with otherab initio values. The calculations of the NMR spin-spin coupling constants have been performed using the Multiconfiguration Time-Dependent Hartree-Fock (MC TDHF) approach. Different basis sets and MC SCF wavefunctions were used to estimate the accuracy of the results. Good agreement is obtained with the coupling constants estimated using the available experimental data.Dedicated to Professor Werner Kutzelnigg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Selective conformer detection of short-lived base pair tautomers: A computational study of the unusual guanine-cytosine pairs using ultrafast resonance Raman spectroscopy

Base pair mismatch has been regarded as the main source of DNA point mutations, where minor short-lived tautomers were usually involved. However, the detection and characterization of these unnatural species pose challenges to existing techniques. Here, by using systematic structural and ultrafast resonance Raman (RR) spectral analysis for the four possible conformers of guanine-cytosine base pairs, the prominent marker Raman bands were identified. We found that the hydrogen bonding vibrational region from 2300 cm⁻¹ to 3700 cm⁻¹ is ideal for the identification of these short live species. The marker bands provide direct evidence for the existence of the tautomer species, thus offering an effective strategy to detect the short-lived minor species. Ultrafast resonance Raman spectroscopy would be a powerful tool to provide direct evidence of critical dynamical details of complex systems involving protonation or tautomerization.     

Expanding functionality of RNA: synthesis and properties of RNA containing imidazole modified tandem G-U wobble base pairs

Imidazole modification at C-5 of uridine that is part of tandem G-U wobble base pairs causes slight reduction of thermal stability (DeltaDeltaG(0)(310) < 0.4 kcal mol(-1)) and relatively small change in hydration of short RNA helices.     

Determination of sugar structures in solution from residual dipolar coupling constants: methodology and application to methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside

We have developed methodology for the determination of solution structures of small molecules from residual dipolar coupling constants measured in dilute liquid crystals. The power of the new technique is demonstrated by the determination of the structure of methyl beta-d-xylopyranoside (I) in solution. An oriented sample of I was prepared using a mixture of C(12)E(5) and hexanol in D(2)O. Thirty residual dipolar coupling constants, ranging from -6.44 to 4.99 Hz, were measured using intensity-based J-modulated NMR techniques. These include 15 D(HH), 4 (1)D(CH), and 11 (n)D(CH) coupling constants. The accuracy of the dipolar coupling constants is estimated to be < +/- 0.02 Hz. New constant-time HMBC NMR experiments were developed for the measurement of (n)D(CH) coupling constants, the use of which was crucial for the successful structure determination of I, as they allowed us to increase the number of fitted parameters. The structure of I was refined using a model in which the directly bonded interatom distances were fixed at their ab initio values, while 16 geometrical and 5 order parameters were optimized. These included 2 CCC and 6 CCH angles, and 2 CCCC and 6 CCCH dihedral angles. Vibrationally averaged dipolar coupling constants were used during the refinement. The refined solution structure of I is very similar to that obtained by ab initio calculations, with 11 bond and dihedral angles differing by 0.8 degrees or less and the remaining 5 parameters differing by up to 3.3 degrees . Comparison with the neutron diffraction structure showed larger differences attributable to crystal packing effects. Reducing the degree of order by using dilute liquid crystalline media in combination with precise measurement of small residual dipolar coupling constants, as shown here, is a way of overcoming the limitation of strongly orienting liquid crystals associated with the complexity of (1)H NMR spectra for molecules with more than 12 protons.     

Theoretical and experimental study of lone pair interactions in THF/chloranilic acid system

Crystallization of a multi-component molecular crystal that consists of chloranilic acid with THF as solvate afforded the general formula C₆H₂O₄Cl₂·THF. Its crystal structure is new and reveals new example of cooperative lone pair–π interactions (oxygen of THF to centroid of chloranilic distance of 3.258 Å) beside others (e.g., hydrogen bonding OH···O) with new experimental evidence of receptor/solvent as a lone pair donor. This has been supported by computational methods, mainly, DFT and RIMP2 levels of theory (?48.3 kJ/mol). In addition, several potential curve surfaces are obtained to test the strength and type of every notable interaction in the lattice.