Calories from carbohydrates: energetic contribution of the carbohydrate moiety of rebeccamycin to DNA binding and the effect of its orientation on topoisomerase I inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Only a few antitumor drugs inhibit the DNA breakage-reunion reaction catalyzed by topoisomerase. One is the camptothecin derivative topotecan that has recently been used clinically. Others are the glycosylated antibiotic rebeccamycin and its synthetic analog NB-506, which is presently in phase I of clinical trials. Unlike the camptothecins, rebeccamycin-type compounds bind to DNA. We set out to elucidate the molecular basis of their interaction with duplex DNA, with particular emphasis on the role of the carbohydrate residue. RESULTS: We compared the DNA-binding and topoisomerase-I-inhibition activities of two isomers of rebeccamycin that contain a galactose residue attached to the indolocarbazole chromophore via an alpha (axial) or a beta (equatorial) glycosidic linkage. The modification of the stereochemistry of the chromophore-sugar linkage results in a marked change of the DNA-binding and topoisomerase-I- poisoning activities. The inverted configuration at the C-1' of the carbohydrate residue abolishes intercalative binding of the drug to DNA thereby drastically reducing the binding affinity. Consequently, the alpha isomer has lost the capacity to induce topoisomerase-I-mediated cleavage of DNA. Comparison with the aglycone allowed us to determine the energetic contribution of the sugar residue. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal interaction of rebeccamycin analogs with DNA is controlled to a large extent by the stereochemistry of the sugar residue. The results clarify the role of carbohydrates in stereospecific drug-DNA interactions and provide valuable information for the rational design of new rebeccamycin-type antitumor agents.     

MO studies of the nature of the bifurcated hydrogen bond. Rotational barriers in cyclohexanol and 1,3-dioxan-5-ol

The rotational barriers of cyclohexanol and 1,3-dioxan-5-ol are calculated by means of the INDO and ab initio STO-3G methods. STO-3G calculations show that the greater stability of the axial conformer of 1,3-dioxan-5-ol is due to electrostatic interaction between the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group and the ring oxygens.     

Molecular structure of complexes with a bifurcated hydrogen bond. 5. Dimers of 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone in inert media

According to the data from IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations (B3LYP/6-31G**, B3LYP/6-311G*), in the vapor and in dichloroethane the synperiplanar conformer of 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone (maltol) exists in equilibrium with two types of dimers. The hydrogen atom of the hydroxy group of one them participates in the formation of a three-center bifurcated hydrogen bond. The second isomer is formed by means of two such H bonds, the intramolecular component of which is substantially weakened while the intermolecular component is so strong that it approximates in character to a two-center hydrogen bond. Dedicated to Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences M. G. Voronkov on his 85th birthday. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, pp. 1635–1646, November, 2006.     

Dynamics in the DNA recognition by DAPI: exploration of the various binding modes

Two distinct modes of interaction of the fluorescent probe 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), depending on the sequence of DNA, have been reported in the literature. In the present study, the dynamics of solvation has been utilized to explore the binding interaction of DAPI to DNA oligomers of different sequences. Picosecond-resolved fluorescence and polarization-gated anisotropy have been used to characterize the binding of DAPI to the different oligomers. In the double-stranded dodecamer of sequence CGCGAATTCGCG (oligo1), the solvation relaxation dynamics of the probe reveals time constants of 0.130 ns (75%) and 2.35 ns (25%). Independent exploration of the minor-groove environment of oligo1 using another well-known minor-groove binder Hoechst 33258 (H258) shows similar timescales, further confirming minor-groove binding of DAPI to oligo1. In the double-stranded dodecamer (oligo2) having the sequence GCGCGCGCGCGC, where intercalation has been reported in the literature, no solvation is observed in our experimental window. DAPI bound to oligo2 shows quenching of fluorescence compared to that of DAPI in a buffer. The quenching of fluorescence of DAPI intercalated in DNA is also borne out by the appearance of a fast component of 30 ps in the fluorescence lifetime, revealing electron transfer to DAPI from GC base pairs, between which it intercalates. In addition to this, the excited-state lifetime of the probe in the DAPI-DNA complex also shows a time constant similar to that of the dye in a buffer, indicating that the excited-state photoprocesses associated with the free dye is also operative in this binding mode, consistent with the binding geometry of the DAPI in the DNA. The dynamics of DAPI in calf thymus DNA having a random sequence of base pairs is similar to that associated with the DNA minor groove. Our studies clearly explore the structure-dynamics correlation of the DAPI-DNA complex in the two distinct modes of interaction of DAPI with DNA.     

Defining the bond energy of a strong hydrogen bond

Based on a recent definition of hydrogen-bond energy the hydrogen bond in [HCOO…H…F]^? is weaker than that in [F…H…F]^?, although the former still ranks as a very strong hydrogen 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.     

The contribution of water molecules to the hydrogen evolution reaction

Traditionally,water molecules act as solvents in most chemical reactions,whereas they act as solvents and reactants in the alkaline electrolyte for the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).It is well known that there is a current plateau in the linear potential–current dependence for HER in neutral or near-neutral electrolytes,showing that the HER is governed by the mass transport of reactive hydronium species at a given overpotential.The sharp rise in the current signal after the plateau at a sligh...     

The contribution of hydrogen bonds to the surface tension of water

The surface energy, the surface free energy and the surface entropy of liquid water are calculated from the decrease in the number of hydrogen bonds in the surface layer, estimated on the bash of a simplified aater structure scheme. In the calculations of the free energy density function only the hydrogen-bond interactions between molecules are taken into consideration. The resulting surface free energy of water is ≈43 mN/m at 25°C. The calculated temperature dependence is consistent with that observed.     

The contribution of complementary hydrogen bonding to supramolecular structure

Two different types of complementary hydrogen bonding contribute to the formation and temperature dependent behavior of a pseudo[2]rotaxane dimer.     

A gel retardation assay system for studying protein binding to simple repetitive DNA sequences.

Simple repetitive DNA sequences have been regarded as mere "junk" present in all eukaryotic genomes. In fact, mixed simple repeat (gt)n(ga)m sequences are present in major histocompatibility complex MHC-DRB genes for long evolutionary times, including such distant animals as artiodactyla and man. We describe herein an unsophisticated method which reveals that at least certain simple repetitive (gt)n(ga)m sequences bind nuclear proteins and show characteristics of a specific DNA-protein interaction via gel retardation.     

Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. 26. The hydration of uracil

Ab initio SCF calculations with the STO -3G basis set have been performed to determine the structure and stability of a 6:1 water:uracil heptamer in which water molecules are hydrogen bonded to uracil at each of the six hydrogen-bonding sites in the uracil molecular plane. The structure of the heptamer describes a stable arrangement of these six water molecules, which are the primary solvent molecules in the first solvation shell, and is suggestive of the arrangement of secondary solvent molecules in that shell in the nonpolar region of the uracil molecular plane. The stabilization energy of the heptamer is 49.6 kcal/mol, or 8.3 kcal/mol per water molecule. The hydrogen bonds between uracil and water are the primary factor in the stabilization of the complex, although water–water interactions and nonadditivity effects are also significant.     

The hydroperoxy radical as a hydrogen bond acceptor. HOO-HCl complexes--Ab initio study

Protonacceptor properties of the HOO radical were investigated previously by means of ab initio as well as topological Atoms in Molecules (AIM) and Electron Localization Function (ELF) methods. It was pointed out that in the radical there are three nonequivalent positions most susceptible to protonation, and on this basis three structures of possible hydrogen bonded complexes were proposed. Results reported in the present article concern all possible 1:1 complexes formed by HCl and HOO molecules, and fully confirm suppositions given on the basis of the above-mentioned investigations. There are three various complexes referring to the local minima, and the transition structure predicted by topological methods has been found as well. The cyclic structure appeared to be the most stable one, which confirms conclusions given in the experimental article. Apart from structure optimization, harmonic as well as anharmonic spectra of the complexes have been simulated. Anharmonicity of H-Cl stretching vibration was of special interest, as the frequency of this vibration characterizes the Cl-H...O hydrogen bond in these complexes. To obtain values of these frequencies the one-dimensional Hamiltonian has been diagonalized numerically. The potential for this Hamiltonian has been taken from a set of single-point scanning of the part of the Potential Energy Surface (PES) connected with this vibration. The potential calculated on the MP2 level leads to the result close to the experimental value, whereas the B3LYP method is inappropriate for the purpose of PES investigation of these complexes.     

Carbohydrate-based receptors with multiple thiourea binding sites. Multipoint hydrogen bond recognition of dicarboxylates and monosaccharides

The binding properties of multitopic sugar thiourea receptors toward dicarboxylate and monosaccharide guests have been examined taking glutarate and octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside as model ligands. For the anionic hydrogen bond acceptor, both the complex stoichiometry and the association constants (K(as)) were found to be strongly dependent on the relative disposition of recognition elements in the host. In contrast, for the glucoside guest a 1:1 stoichiometry was observed in all cases, the K(as) values being largely independent of the unbound state provided that geometrically equivalent supramolecular topologies can be achieved.     

The influence of potassium cation on a strong OHO hydrogen bond

The influence of the potassium cation on the OHO hydrogen bond in potassium chloromaleate was investigated. Theoretical methods commonly used for investigating hydrogen bonds, such as the analysis of electron density at the hydrogen bond critical points, and the calculation of the shape of the potential energy curves and potential energy surfaces, show that the strong OHO hydrogen bond can be modified by the potassium cation located around the chloromaleate anion.     

Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. XXX. Water-cytosine complexes

Ab initio SCF and SCF -CI calculations with the STO -3G basis set have been performed to investigate the structures and energies of water–cytosine complexes and the intermolecular water–cytosine surface in the cytosine molecular plane. Although there are six nominal hydrogen-bonding sites in this plane, only three dimers are distinguishable in the ground state. The most stable has an energy of ?10.7 kcal/mol, and is found in the N₁? H and O₂ region. An asymmetric cyclic structure in which the water molecule bridges adjacent N₁? H and O₂ sites is the preferred form of this dimer. The dimer in the region between O₂ and N₄? H′ of the amino group is slightly less stable at ?10.4 kcal/mol, and also has an asymmetric cyclic structure as the preferred structure, with the water molecule bridging amino N₄? H′ and N₃ hydrogen-bonding sites. The third dimer has the amino group as the proton donor to water through the hydrogen cis to C₅, and a stabilization energy of ?7.0 kcal/mol. The water-cytosine surface is characterized by deeper minima and higher barriers than the water-thymine surface and by a decreased mobility of the water molecule between adjacent hydrogen-bonding sites. Absorption of energy by the C₂?O group leads to the first n → π* excited state in which interactions of water with O₂ are broken. The water-cytosine dimers remain bound in this state, but may change structurally. In the second n → π* state interactions between water and N₃ are no longer stabilizing. As a result, the dimer in the O₂ and N₄? H′ region collapses to either a dimer with water the proton donor to O₂, or one with N₄? H′ the proton donor to water. The other two dimers remain bound. All excited dimers are destabilized on vertical excitation relative to the ground state.