The quadruplex-duplex structural transition of polyriboguanylic acid

The vibrational infrared (IR) absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectral changes of polyriboguanylic acid (polyG) as a function of time, temperature and pH have been investigated to establish how changes in spectral features relate to the structural modifications of polyG. From the progression of IR and VCD spectral features with respect to time, it is observed that stabilization of the quadruplex structure at pH 6.4 (near-neutral environment) takes place within 5 days. This stabilization process is most clearly evidenced by a downshift of the carbonyl absorption band and the corresponding positive VCD couplet, from 1689 to approximately 1682 cm(-1) in time. Time-induced spectral modifications also indicated that, in an acidic environment (pH 3.1) and within a 5 day waiting period, polyG develops a duplex structure. An additional positive VCD couplet associated with an absorption band at 1589 cm(-1) is identified as a marker of the polyG duplex structure. From the progression of spectral features with respect to temperature at pH 6.4, it is found that heating induces structural changes that favor the formation of a duplex structure. This duplex structure, at pH 6.4, would not form at room temperature simply by the passage of time. When polyG is in an acidic environment (pH 3.1), heating accelerates the conversion to the duplex structure that could also be obtained with passage of time at that pH. On the basis of the comparison of experimental and quantum theoretical VCD spectra for polyG, the key spectral signature for the quadruplex form is considered to be a single positive VCD couplet, while the spectral signature for a duplex form is considered to contain an additional positive VCD couplet at a lower frequency.     

Structural transitions in polyribocytidylic acid induced by changes in pH and temperature: vibrational circular dichroism study in solution and film states

Changes in vibrational absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of polyribocytidylic acid (polyC) in buffered D(2)O solution as a function of pH and temperature are reported. Analysis of these spectral data led us to establish the absorption band at approximately 1693 cm(-1) and associated negative VCD couplet as diagnostic markers of the double-helical form of polyC. An alternate interpretation suggesting quadruplex formation for polyC is also discussed. In addition to the solution state spectral data, pH-dependent absorption and VCD spectra for polyC films derived from dilute H(2)O solutions are also presented. The pH-dependent changes in the absorption and VCD spectra of polyC films are found to be similar to those observed for polyC in solution.     

Matrix Isolation‐Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy of 3‐Butyn‐2‐ol and its Binary Aggregates

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy has a unique specificity to chirality and is highly sensitive to the conformational equilibria of chiral molecules. On the other hand, the matrix‐isolation (MI) technique allows substantial control over sample compositions, such as the sample(s)/matrix ratio and the ratio among different samples, and yields spectra with very narrow bandwidths. We combined VCD spectroscopy with the MI technique to record MI‐VCD and MI‐vibrational absorption spectra of 3‐butyn‐2‐ol at different MI temperatures, which allowed us to investigate the conformational distributions of its monomeric and binary species. Good mirror‐imaged MI‐VCD spectra of opposite enantiomers were achieved. The related conformational searches were performed for the monomer and the binary aggregate and their vibrational absorption and VCD spectra were simulated. The well‐resolved experimental MI‐VCD bands provide the essential mean to assign the associated vibrational absorption spectral features correctly to a particular conformation in case of closely spaced bands. By varying the matrix temperature, we show that one can follow the self‐aggregation process of 3‐butyn‐2‐ol and confidently correlate the MI‐VCD spectral features with those obtained for a 0.1 M CCl₄ solution and as a neat liquid at room temperature. Comparison of the aforementioned experimental VCD spectra shows conclusively that there is a substantial contribution from the 3‐butyn‐2‐ol aggregate even at 0.1 M concentration. This spectroscopic combination will be powerful for studying self‐aggregation of chiral molecules, and chirality transfer from a chiral molecule to an interacting achiral molecule and in electron donor–acceptor chiral complexes.     

Spectroscopic detection of DNA quadruplexes by vibrational circular dichroism

The four-stranded G-quadruplex motif is a conformation frequently adopted by guanine-rich nucleic acids that plays an important role in biology, medicine, and nanotechnology. Although vibrational spectroscopy has been widely used to investigate nucleic acid structure, association of particular spectral features with the quadruplex structure has to date been ambiguous. In this work, experimental IR absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the model quadruplex systems d(G)(8) and deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-dGMP) were analyzed using molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum-chemical modeling. The experimental spectra were unambiguously assigned to the quadruplex DNA arrangement, and several IR and VCD bands related to this structural motif were determined. Involvement of MD in the modeling was essential for realistic simulation of the spectra. The VCD signal was found to be more sensitive to dynamical structural variations than the IR signal. The combination of the spectroscopic techniques with multiscale simulations provides extended information about nucleic acid conformations and their dynamics.     

Self-association of telomeric short oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing a dG cluster.

Oligonucleotides containing a dG cluster, d(TmGnTm), are models of single-stranded parts of telomeric deoxyribonucleic acid and substitutes for poly(dG). Electrophoretic and spectroscopic analyses of the oligomers indicate that the oligomers can form two alternative structures, single- and quadruple-stranded helices, in solution at room temperature. The transformation of the single-strandef form into the quadruple-stranded form or vice versa is undetectable in 0.1 M NaCl at 4.3 x 10(-5) M strand concentration at room temperature. However, at a 50-fold higher strand concentration, the single-stranded oligomer is gradually converted into the quadruplex. An increase in ionic strength stabilizes the single-stranded structure, so it seems to inhibit the formation of the quadruplex. The quadruplex, [d(TTGGGGTT)]4, is resistant to denaturation in 7 M urea, in which the Watson-Crick type d(TTGGGGTT).d(AACCCCAA) duplex dissociates. An increase in the number of T residues facilitates the dissociation of the quadruplex by heating. Thus the number of T residues surrounding the dG cluster might control the rigidity of the quadruplex structure.     

Structural transitions in polyriboadenylic acid induced by the changes in pH and temperature: vibrational circular dichroism study in solution and film states

A correlation of the changes in vibrational absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectral features with the structural changes of polyriboadenylic acid (polyA) as a function of pH is reported. Analysis of the solution spectral data as a function of pH led us to establishing the importance of a previously unrecognized absorption band at approximately 1665 cm(-1). The present studies indicate that this absorption band and associated VCD originate from the double-helical structure of polyA. The observed changes in solution-state VCD features are indicative of the pH-dependent transitions among the three acidic forms of polyA (A, B, and "frozen" form). In addition to the solution-state spectral data, pH-dependent absorption and VCD spectra for films of polyA, derived from dilute H2O solutions, are also presented. The pH-dependent changes in the absorption and VCD spectra of films are also correlated to the polyA structural changes.     

Interpreting DNA vibrational circular dichroism spectra using a coupling model from two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy was recently used to measure the vibrational couplings between carbonyl bonds located on DNA nucleobases (Krummel, A. T.; Mukherjee, P.; Zanni, M. T. J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 9165 and Krummel, A. T.; Zanni, M. T. J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 13991). Here, we extend the coupling model derived from these 2D IR experiments to simulate the vibrational absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of three double-stranded DNA oligomers: poly(dG)-poly(dC), poly(dG-dC), and dGGCC. Using this model, we determine that the VCD spectrum of A-form poly(dG)-poly(dC) is dominated by interactions between stacked bases, whereas the coupling between base pairs and stacked bases carries equal importance in the VCD spectrum of B-form poly(dG-dC). We also simulate the absorption and VCD spectra of dGGCC, which is a combination of A- and B-form configurations. These simulations give insight into the structural interpretation of VCD and absorption spectroscopies that have long been used to monitor DNA secondary structure and kinetics.     

Lactic acid in solution: investigations of lactic acid self-aggregation and hydrogen bonding interactions with water and methanol using vibrational absorption and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopies

The infrared vibrational absorption (VA) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectral features of L-(+)-lactic acid (LA) in CDCl3 solution are concentration dependent, showing evidence of oligomerization with increasing concentrations. To understand the observed spectra, geometry optimizations, vibrational frequencies, and VA and VCD intensities were evaluated for (LA)n with n=1-4 using density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP6-311++G(d,p), B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, and in some cases, B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. Comparisons with the experimental spectra indicate that the lowest energy LA dimer (AA), formed by two C Double Bond O...HO hydrogen bonds, is one of the dominating species in solution at room temperature. Possible contributions from the LA trimer and tetramer are also discussed. To model the VA and VCD spectra of LA in water and in methanol, both implicit polarizable continuum model and explicit hydrogen bonding considerations were used. For explicit hydrogen bonding, geometry optimizations of the AA-(water)n and AA-(methanol)n complexes, with n=2,4,6, were performed, and the corresponding VA and VCD spectra were simulated. Comparisons of the calculated and experimental VA and VCD spectra in the range of 1000-1800 cm(-1) show that AA-(water)n with n=6 best reproduces the experimental spectra in water. On the other hand, AA-(methanol)n with n=2 reproduces well the experimental results taken in methanol solution. In addition, we found evidence of chirality transfer, i.e., some vibrational bands of the achiral water subunits gain VCD strength upon complexation with the chiral LA solute. The study is the first to use VCD spectroscopy to probe the structures of LA aggregates and hydrogen bonding solvation clusters in the solution phase.     

Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism studies of (-)-camphanic acid

Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic acid have been measured in deuterated chloroform solutions at different concentrations (0.005, 0.045, and 0.200 M) in the mid-infrared spectral range. Experimental spectra have been compared with the density functional theory (DFT) absorption and VCD spectra, calculated using the B3PW91 functional and cc-pVTZ basis set for three conformers of both the monomer and the dimer forms of (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic acid. These calculations indicate that, in the dilute solution, the conformer with intramolecular hydrogen-bonding between the hydroxyl and lactone groups is of lowest energy and represents 70% of the different monomer conformers at room temperature, whereas, in concentrated solution, the dimer formed by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding of carboxyl groups of the two distinct monomer conformations is stabilized. The vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra calculated from the Boltzmann population of the individual monomer and dimer conformers are in very good overall agreement with the corresponding experimental spectra, allowing the absolute conformation and configuration of (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic acid in dilute and concentrated solution, respectively. Experiments were also performed on (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic chloride for which the populations predicted by DFT calculations are found to be in disagreement with those deduced from experimental spectra.     

A single chiroptical spectroscopic method may not be able to establish the absolute configurations of diastereomers: dimethylesters of hibiscus and garcinia acids

Electronic circular dichroism (ECD), optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of hibiscus acid dimethyl ester have been measured and analyzed in combination with quantum chemical calculations of corresponding spectra. These results, along with those reported previously for garcinia acid dimethyl ester, reveal that none of these three (ECD, ORD, or VCD) spectroscopic methods, in isolation, can unequivocally establish the absolute configurations of diastereomers. This deficiency is eliminated when a combined spectral analysis of either ECD and VCD or ORD and VCD methods is used. It is also found that the ambiguities in the assignment of absolute configurations of diastereomers may also be overcome when unpolarized vibrational absorption is included in the spectral analysis.     

Exciton chirality method in vibrational circular dichroism

The interaction of two IR chromophores yields a strong vibrational circular dichroism couplet whose sign reflects the absolute configuration of the molecule. We present a method to determine absolute configuration of a chiral molecule based on this couplet without need of theoretical calculation. Not only can this method analyze various molecules whose absolute configuration is difficult to determine by other spectroscopic methods, but also it can significantly enhance VCD signals.     

Vibrational spectra of anhydrous chromium(III) chloride

The vibrational structure of anhydrous chromic chloride, CrCl₃, has been investigated at room temperature in the spectral range 240 – 500 cm^?1 by means of Raman and infrared absorption spectroscopy.     

DNA oligonucleotide-cis-platin binding: Ab initio interpretation of the vibrational spectra

The cis-platin binding to the d(CCTGGTCC)*d(GGACCAGG) model DNA octamer was monitored with infrared absorption (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopies. The spectra were modeled with the aid of density functional computations and a Cartesian coordinate-based transfer of molecular property tensors from smaller DNA fragments. Because of the fragmentation, the tensors could be calculated with a higher precision. Environmental effects, such as the presence of the solvent or the cis-platin ligand, could be included in the modeling. The solvent was modeled by an explicit inclusion of hydrogen-bound water molecules, positions of which were estimated from a molecular dynamics simulation, or by the polarized continuum COSMO model. The B3LYP and BPW91 functionals used for the calculations of the spectral parameters were combined with the relativistic LANL2DZ platinum pseudo-potentials. The simulations reproduced the main IR and VCD DNA spectral features and explained most of the changes observed experimentally upon metal binding. The results confirmed that the influence of the ligand on DNA vibrational properties is quite complex; it originates in the geometry deformation and normal mode coupling pattern changes of the platinated octamer, as well as in local perturbations of the electronic structure and force field of the GC base pairs to which the platinum is bound. Many of the local effects could be accounted for by a point charge used in place of the metal in the GC complex.     

Interaction of thin metal films with the polyimide surface: electron energy loss spectroscopy of surface vibrations and uv photoemission of electronic states

We have applied electron energy loss spectroscopy to the study of metal—polymer bonding. Changes in polymer surface vibrational structure after deposition of Pd or Cr onto a thin polyimide film at room temperature are analyzed. Pd does not react with polyimide, but Cr reacts readily near carbonyl sites as evidenced by the rapid shift and attenuation of the CO vibrational band. The condensation of the metal overlayer is also determined by the onset of broadening of the elastic peak providing insight into the structural homogeneity of these metal films.     

A combined theoretical and experimental study of the structure and vibrational absorption, vibrational circular dichroism, Raman and Raman optical activity spectra of the L-histidine zwitterion

A combined theoretical and experimental study of the vibrational absorption (VA)/IR, vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), Raman and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra of l-histidine in aqueous solution has been undertaken to answer the questions (i) what are the species present and (ii) which conformers of the species are present under various experimental conditions. The VA spectra of l-histidine have been measured in aqueous solution and the spectral bands which can be used to identify both species (cation, zwitterion, anion) and conformer of the species have been identified and subsequently used to identify the species (zwitterion) and conformer (gauche minus minus, gauche minus plus for the side chain dihedral angles) present in solution at pH 7.6. The VCD spectral intensities have been used subsequently in combination with further theoretical studies to confirm the conclusions that have been arrived at by only analyzing the VA/IR spectra. Finally a comparison of measured Raman and ROA spectra of l-histidine with Raman and ROA spectral simulations for the conformers and species derived from the combined VA/IR and VCD experimental and theoretical work is presented as a validation of the conclusions arrived at from VA/IR and VCD spectroscopy. The combination of VA/IR and VCD with Raman and ROA is clearly superior and both sets of experiments should be performed.     

Effects of electron configuration and coordination number on the vibrational circular dichroism spectra of metal complexes of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane

Transition metal complexes of ethylenediamine have attracted significant interest as prototype systems for a range of studies related to their chiroptical properties. In order to better elucidate the effects of different central metal ions and also different coordination numbers on the vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra, trans-1,2-diamino cyclohexane (chxn) was chosen as the chiral ligands in the current report. In this case the conformation of the diamino ligand is predetermined by its absolute configuration and the transition from the λ- to the δ-form that can occur in the case of ethylenediamine is no longer possible. The fingerprint region of the vibrational absorption and VCD spectra of three transition metal complexes of chxn have been analysed in detail. For the tris chelate complexes Ni(chxn)(3)(2+) and Cu(chxn)(3)(2+), selective enhancement of some VCD bands in the otherwise almost identical spectra has been observed and explained in terms of a ring current mechanism and of a different number of unpaired electrons of the metal centers. The comparison of the VCD spectra of Cu(chxn)(3)(2+) and Cu(chxn)(2)(2+) reveals the effects of coordination number that manifest as an inversion of the strong bisignate VCD pattern of the NH(2) scissor vibrational modes. This leads to the conclusion that this region can be used to extract information about the ligand environment and the chirality of the metal center.     

NMR and impedance spectroscopy data on the ionic mobility and conductivity in PbSnF4 doped with alkali metal fluoride

NMR and impedance spectroscopy are used to study the ionic mobility and conductivity in crystalline samples in PbSnF₄-MF systems (M = Li, Na, K) in a 150?C473 K temperature range. The ¹⁹F NMR spectral parameters, types of ionic motion, and ionic conductivity value in the PbSnF₄ compound doped with alkali metal fluoride is found to be determined by the temperature, nature, and concentration of an alkali cation. The specific conductivity of the crystalline samples in PbSnF₄-MF systems (M = Li, Na, K) is rather high at room temperature and hence, it seems possible to apply them in the development of functional materials with high ionic (superionic) conductivity.     

Vibrational Circular Dichroism and Theoretical Study of the Conformational Equilibrium in (−)‐S‐Nicotine

We report an extensive study of the molecular and electronic structure of (?)‐S‐nicotine, to deduce the phenomenon that controls its conformational equilibrium and to solve its solution‐state conformer population. Density functional theory, ab initio, and molecular mechanics calculations were used together with vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Calculations and experiments in solution show that the structure and the conformational energy profile of (?)‐S‐nicotine are not strongly dependent on the medium, thus suggesting that the conformational equilibrium is dominated by hyperconjugative interactions rather than repulsive electronic effects. The analysis of the first recorded VCD spectra of (?)‐S‐nicotine confirmed the presence of two main conformers at room temperature. Our results provide further evidence of the hypersensitivity of vibrational optical activity spectroscopies to the three‐dimensional structure of chiral samples and prove their suitability for the elucidation of solution‐state conformer distribution.     

Water Confined in the Local Field of Ions

Interionic distances are shorter in concentrated ionic solutions, thus instigating the interaction and overlap of hydration shells, as ions become separated by only one or two layers of water molecules. The simultaneous interaction of water with two oppositely charged ions has, so far, only been investigated by computer simulation studies, because the isolated vibrational spectroscopic signature of these molecules remains undetected. Our combined near‐infrared spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation studies of alkali halide solutions present a distinct spectral feature, which is highly responsive to depletion of bulk water and merging of hydration shells. The analysis of this spectral feature demonstrates that absorption trends are in good agreement with the law of matching affinities, thus providing the first successful vibrational spectroscopic treatment of this topic. Combined with commonly observed near‐infrared bands, this feature provides a spectral pattern that describes some relevant aspects of ionic hydration.     

Molecular structure of guanine-quartet supramolecular assemblies in a gel-state based on a DFT calculation of infrared and vibrational circular dichroism spectra

The infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of guanosine-5'-hydrazide ( G-1), a powerful hydrogelator, have been measured and analyzed on the basis of ab initio modeling. B3LYP/6-31G** DFT calculations predict that G-1, forming a clear solution in deuterated DMSO, is present in monomeric form in this solvent, whereas strong gelation in a phosphate buffer is due to the formation of a guanine-quartet structure, ( G-1)4, in which the four G-1 are linked by hydrogen-bonded guanine moieties and stabilized by an alkali metal cation. The B3LYP/6-31G** IR and VCD spectra of the nearly planar G-quartet, whose structure is slightly distorted from the C4h symmetry, in which the G-bases interact via four Hoogsteen-type hydrogen bonds and a sodium cation is positioned in the middle of the G-quartet, are in very good agreement with the experimental spectra, indicating that this structure is the predominant structure in the gel state. The geometric parameters are discussed. This study is the first to use IR and VCD spectroscopies coupled with DFT calculations to elucidate the structure of a supramolecular species in a gel state and shows the VCD spectroscopy as a powerful method for investigating the structure of complex supramolecular self-assemblies where the use of other structural methods is limited.