Theoretical π-π* circular dichroic spectra of helical poly(glycine) and poly(L-alanine) as functions of backbone torsion angles

Circular dichroic spectra and oscillator strengths of the π-π transition near 190 nm are calculated for helical (Gly)₆ and (Ala)₆ at 30° intervals of the backbone torsion angles (?,ψ) over the range -180° ≤ ? ≤ -60°, ?60° ≤ ψ ≤ 180°, using the partially dispersive normal mode treatment of the dipole interaction model. Polarizabilities of atoms and the NC′O group are those determined semiempirically in previous studies. Calculations for (Ala)₆ at (?,ψ) angles corresponding to the α-helix, the poly(Pro) II helix, a collagen single helix, a poly-(MeAla) helix, and single β-helices are found to agree well with most of the available experimental data.     

Crystallographic characterization of the α,γ C12 helix in hybrid peptide sequences

The solid‐state conformations of two αγ hybrid peptides Boc‐[Aib‐γ⁴(R)Ile]₄‐OMe 1 and Boc‐[Aib‐γ⁴(R)Ile]₅‐OMe 2 are described. Peptides 1 and 2 adopt C₁₂‐helical conformations in crystals. The structure of octapeptide 1 is stabilized by six intramolecular 4 → 1 hydrogen bonds, forming 12 atom C₁₂ motifs. The structure of peptide 2 reveals the formation of eight successive C₁₂ hydrogen‐bonded turns. Average backbone dihedral angles for αγ C₁₂ helices are peptide 1 , Aib; φ (°) = ?57.2 ± 0.8, ψ (°) = ?44.5 ± 4.7; γ⁴(R)Ile; φ (°) = ?127.3 ± 7.3, θ₁ (°) = 58.5 ± 12.1, θ₂ (°) = 67.6 ± 10.1, ψ (°) = ?126.2 ± 16.1; peptide 2 , Aib; φ (°) = ?58.8 ± 5.1, ψ (°) = ?40.3 ± 5.5; ψ⁴(R)Ile; φ (°) = ?123.9 ± 2.7, θ₁ (°) = 53.3 θ 4.9, θ ₂ (°) = 61.2 ± 1.6, ψ (°) = ?121.8 ± 5.1. The tendency of γ⁴‐substituted residues to adopt gauche–gauche conformations about the C^α–C^β and C^β–C^γ bonds facilitates helical folding. The αγ C₁₂ helix is a backbone expanded analog of α peptide 3₁₀ helix. The hydrogen bond parameters for α peptide 3₁₀ and α‐helices are compared with those for αγ hybrid C₁₂ helix. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons.     

Antibody side chain conformations are position‐dependent

Side chain prediction is an integral component of computational antibody design and structure prediction. Current antibody modelling tools use backbone‐dependent rotamer libraries with conformations taken from general proteins. Here we present our antibody‐specific rotamer library, where rotamers are binned according to their immunogenetics (IMGT) position, rather than their local backbone geometry. We find that for some amino acid types at certain positions, only a restricted number of side chain conformations are ever observed. Using this information, we are able to reduce the breadth of the rotamer sampling space. Based on our rotamer library, we built a side chain predictor, position‐dependent antibody rotamer swapper (PEARS). On a blind test set of 95 antibody model structures, PEARS had the highest average χ₁ and accuracy (78.7% and 64.8%) compared to three leading backbone‐dependent side chain predictors. Our use of IMGT position, rather than backbone ϕ/ψ, meant that PEARS was more robust to errors in the backbone of the model structure. PEARS also achieved the lowest number of side chain–side chain clashes. PEARS is freely available as a web application at http://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/pears .     

Crystal structures of two cyclic pseudopentapeptides containing ψ[CH2S] and ψ[CH2SO] backbone surrogates

The solid state conformations of cyclo[Gly–Proψ[CH₂S]Gly–D –Phe–Pro] and cyclo[Gly–Proψ[CH₂–(S)–SO]Gly–D –Phe–Pro] have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystals of the sulfide trihydrate are orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, with a = 10.156(3) Å, b = 11.704(3) Å, c = 21.913(4) Å, and Z = 4. Crystals of the sulfoxide are monoclinic, P2₁, with a = 10.662(1) Å, b = 8.552(3) Å, c = 12.947(2) Å, β = 94.28(2), and Z = 2. Unlike their all-amide parent, which adopts an all-trans backbone conformation and a type II β-turn encompassing Gly-Pro-Gly-D -Phe, both of these peptides contain a cis Gly¹-Pro² bond and form a novel turn structure, i.e., a type II′ β-turn consisting of Gly–D –Phe–Pro–Gly. The turn structure in each of these peptides is stabilized by an intramolecular H bond between the carbonyl oxygen of Gly¹ and the amide proton of D -Phe⁴. In the cyclic sulfoxide, the sulfinyl group is not involved in H bonding despite its strong potential as a hydrogen-bond acceptor. The crystal structure made it possible to establish the absolute configuration of the sulfinyl group in this peptide. The two crystal structures also helped identify a type II′ β-turn in the DMSO-d₆ solution conformers of these peptides. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Statistical torsion angle potential energy functions for protein structure modeling: A bicubic interpolation approach

A set of grid type knowledge‐based energy functions is introduced for ?–χ₁, ψ–χ₁, ?–ψ, and χ₁–χ₂ torsion angle combinations. Boltzmann distribution is assumed for the torsion angle populations from protein X‐ray structures, and the functions are named as statistical torsion angle potential energy functions. The grid points around periodic boundaries are duplicated to force periodicity, and the remedy relieves the derivative discontinuity problem. The devised functions rapidly improve the quality of model structures. The potential bias in the functions and the usefulness of additional secondary structure information are also investigated. The proposed guiding functions are expected to facilitate protein structure modeling, such as protein structure prediction, protein design, and structure refinement. Proteins 2013. Proteins 2013; 81:1156–1165. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

DFTr studies of five- and six-residue cyclic-β(1→4) cellulosic molecules

Density functional (DFT) conformational in vacuo studies of cellobiose have shown that ?_H‐anti conformations are low in energy relative to the syn forms, while the ψ_H‐anti forms are higher in energy. Further, as the cellulosic fragments became larger than a disaccharide and new hydrogen bonding interactions between multiple residues become available, stable low energy ?_H‐anti, and ψ_H‐anti cellulosic structures became possible. To test the stability of cyclic anti‐conformations, a number of β‐linked five‐ and six‐residue molecules were created and then energy optimized in solvent (water, n‐heptane) using the implicit solvation method COSMO at the B3LYP level of theory. The created symmetric cyclic structures were without distortion. Upon optimization some cyclic conformations were found to be of low energy when compared with linear five‐ and six‐residue chains, after correcting the energy for the exclusion of a water molecule upon cyclization. It was also obvious from the hydrogen bonding network formed above and below the plane of the cyclic structure that these structures could exhibit strong synergistic tendencies. The conformational energy preferences for clockwise “c” and counter‐clockwise “r” hydroxyl groups and preference for the hydroxymethyl rotamers is described. Because these structures contain energetically unfavorable flipped conformations in water, that is, dihedral angles of ～180°/0° or ～0°/180° in ?_H/ψ_H, it is clear that the synthesis of these compounds will be challenging. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97:568–576, 2012.     

Crystal Structure and Conformation of 5‐Fluorouridine: Conformational Preferences for 5‐Fluorinated Pyranosides

Crystals of 5‐fluorouridine (5FUrd) have unit cell dimensions a = 7.716(1), b = 5.861(2), c = 13.041(1)Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 96.70° (1), space group P2₁, Z = 2, ρ_obs = 1.56 gm/c.c and ρ_calc = 1574 gm/c.c The crystal structure was determined with diffractometric data and refined to a final reliability index of 0.042 for the observed 2205 reflections (I ≥ 3σ). The nucleoside has the anti conformation [χ = 53.1(4)°] with the furanose ring in the favorite C2′–endo conformation. The conformation across the sugar exocyclic bond is g⁺, with values of 49.1(4) and ? 69.3(4)° for Φ_θc and Φ_∞ respectively. The pseudorotational amplitude τ_m is 34.5 (2) with a phase angle of 171.6(4)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by a network of N–H…O and O–H…O involving the N3 of the uracil base and the sugar O3′ and O2′ as donors and the O2 and O4 of the uracil base and O3′ oxygen as acceptors respectively. Fluorine is neither involved in the hydrogen bonding nor in the stacking interactions. Our studies of several 5‐fluorinated nucleosides show the following preferred conformational features: 1) the most favored anti conformation for the nucleoside [χ varies from ? 20 to + 60°] 2) an inverse correlation between the glycosyl bond distance and the χ angle 3) a wide variation of conformations of the sugar ranging froni C2′–endo through C3′–endo to C4′–exo 4) the preferred g⁺ across the exocyclic C4′–C5′ bond and 5) no role for the fluorine atom in the hydrogen bonding or base stacking interactions.     

Observation of a sterically unfavorable side-chain conformation in a leucyl residue: Crystal and molecular structure of L-leucyl–L-leucine · DMSO solvate

The crystal structure of a dipeptide L -leucyl–L -leucine (C₁₂H₂₄N₂O₃) has been determined. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁, with a = 5.434(4) Å, b = 15.712(7) Å, c = 11.275(2) Å, β = 100.41(1)°, and Z = 2. The crystals contain one molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent of crystallization for each dipeptide molecule. The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to a final R index of 0.059 for 920 reflections (sinθ/λ ? 0.60 Å^?1) with I ? 2σ (I). The trans peptide unit shows substantial degree of non-planarity (Δω = 14°). The peptide backbone adopts an extended conformation with torsion angles of ψ₁ = 138(1)°, ω₁ = 166(1)°, ?₂ = ? 149.3(7)°, ψ₂₁ = 164.2(7)°, and ψ₂₂ = ? 15(1)°. For the first leucyl residue, the side-chain conformation is specified by the torsion angles ¹χ₁ = 176.7(7)°, ¹χ₂₁ = 62(1)°, ¹χ₂₂ = ? 177.4(8)°; the second leucyl residue adopts a Sterically unfavorable conformation with ²χ₁ = 61(1)°, ²χ₂₁ = 97(1)°, and ²χ₂₂ = ?151(1)°. The packing involves head-to-tail interaction of peptide molecules and segregation of polar and nonpolar regions. The DMSO molecule is strongly hydrogen bonded to the terminal NH group. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cold adaptive potential of chironomids overwintering in a glacial stream

Insects inhabiting cold streams must either tolerate or avoid freezing to survive. The present study reports the strategy adopted by fourth‐instar larvae of two chironomid species [Pseudodiamesa branickii (Nowicki) and Diamesa cinerella (Meigen)] overwintering in a glacial stream (in the Italian Alps). The cold adaptive potential of both species under acute cold stress is investigated down to –30 °C. Supercooling points, lower lethal temperatures (LLTs), haemolymph thermal hysteresis, whole body content of sugars and polyols, and the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) genes (hsc70 and hsp70) expression are estimated. Comparable thermal hysteresis (> 2 °C) is measured in the two species, both of which accumulate glucose and sucrose as the main cryoprotectants. According to the supercooling points (= –6.37 and –6.85 °C, respectively) and LLT₁₀₀ (= –16.2 and –14.7 °C, respectively), P. branickii and D. cinerella can both be considered as freeze tolerant. However, the cumulative proportion of individual freezing values and the LLT₅₀ (–9.14 and –6.13 °C, respectively) suggest that P. branickii is more cold hardy than D. cinerella, whereas the gene expression data (i.e. an absence of up‐regulation of hsp70 in D. cinerella) suggest that D. cinerella is more cold hardy than P. branickii. These findings are discussed in relation to the validity of the different metabolic indicators for defining the level of cold hardiness of a species, even in relation to its cold stenothermy. The results are also discussed in relation to climate warming, which represents a serious threat for species from glacier‐fed streams.     

Measurement of restricted rotational diffusion of fluorescent lipids in supported planar phospholipid monolayers using angle-dependent polarized fluorescence photobleaching recovery

A theory describing the shapes of polarized fluorescence photobleaching recovery (PFPR) curves for a population of fluorophores undergoing restricted rotational diffusion in two-dimensional systems such as planar membranes has been developed. In this model, restricted rotational diffusion of the fluorophores is described by using reflective boundary conditions, in which the fluorophores are assumed to diffuse freely but only within an angular space of width 2ω. The magnitude and apparent rate of the PFPR postbleach fluorescence curves are a function of both ω and the angle between the bleaching and observation beam polarizations ψ. It is shown that estimates of the degree of rotational restriction ω may be obtained from changes in the ψ-dependent postbleach fluorescence intensities. Using angle-dependent PFPR, slow rotational reorientations of the fluorescent lipid analogue 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine in distearoylphosphatidylcholine Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers deposited on octadecyltrichlorosilane-treated fused quartz were measured. As theoretically predicted for a rotationally restricted fluorophore population, both the initial F_ψ(0) and final F_ψ(∞) postbleach fluorescence intensities varied as a function of ψ, and no measurable change in the postbleach fluorescence intensities was observed for ψ = 45°. Using the theory for restricted rotational motion, the ψ-dependent variations of the final fluorescence intensities F_ψ(∞) obtained at two bleaching intensities gave an average apparent ω ≈? 52°. However, to adequately fit the F_ψ(0) data, inclusion of the theoretical effects of rapid (faster than the duration of the photobleaching pulse) fluorophore dynamics was also required. Best fits of the F_ψ(0) and F_ψ(∞) data were obtained when the fluorophores were assumed to rapidly wobble within a cone of semiangle δ ≈? 30°–50° while slowly rotating within an angular space defined by semiangle ω ≈? 35°–60°. Subsequent analysis of the time- and ψ-dependent changes in the postbleach fluorescence curves F_ψ(t) gave apparent diffusion coefficients ranging from D ≈? 10^?3 s^?1 to 4 × 10^?2 s^?1. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chiral Pool‐Based Synthesis of Naphtho‐Fused Isocoumarins

A variety of chiral derivatives of benzo[d]naphtho[1,2‐b]pyran‐6‐one were prepared in a single step by Et₃N‐mediated condensation of homophthalic anhydride with different derivatives of (S)‐amino acid chlorides at –5 °C by employing a chiral pool methodology. Chirality 27:951–957, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Differences in pupal cold hardiness and larval food consumption between overwintering and non‐overwintering generations of the common yellow swallowtail,Papilio machaon (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), from the Osaka population

To clarify differences in pupal cold hardiness and larval food consumption between overwintering and non‐overwintering generations of the common yellow swallowtail, Papilio machaon, we reared larvae from the Osaka population under photoperiods of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16:8) (long day) or LD 12:12 (short day) at 20°C. We examined the relationship between food consumption and weight during the final larval stadium and pupae, and measured the pupal supercooling point (SCP). Although the ratio of assimilation to consumption did not differ significantly between photoperiods, the ratio of assimilation to pupal weight differed significantly between individuals reared under long and short days. All diapausing pupae were brown, whereas 56% of non‐diapausing pupae were green with the remainder brown. The mean pupal body length (L), dorsal width (W₁) and lateral width (W₂) were larger in non‐diapausing than in diapausing pupae, and the W₁/L and W₁/W₂ ratios differed significantly between non‐diapausing and diapausing pupae. SCP was approximately –20°C and did not differ among pupae 5, 15 and 30 days after pupation under long‐day conditions. However, under short‐day conditions, mean SCP gradually decreased, stabilizing at approximately –24 to –25°C by 30 days after pupation. After freezing, some diapausing pupae emerged as adults, whereas all non‐diapausing pupae died. Both egestion and assimilation were greater under long‐day conditions. The results revealed that pupae of this papilionid exhibit seasonal polyphenism in physiological and morphological traits. Energy from food appears to be expended on increasing cold hardiness in the overwintering generation and on reproduction in the non‐overwintering generation.     

Genotype x environment interaction for male attractiveness in an acoustic moth: evidence for plasticity and canalization

The lek paradox arises when choosy females deplete the genetic variance for male display traits from a population, yet substantial additive genetic variation (V_A) in male traits persists. Thus, the lek paradox can be more generally stated as one of the most fundamental evolutionary questions: What maintains genetic variation in natural populations? One solution to this problem may be found in the condition‐dependent nature of many sexually selected traits. Genotype × environment (G × E) interactions can maintain V_A under conditions of environmental heterogeneity provided certain restrictions are met, although antagonistic pleiotropy has also been proposed as a mechanism. Here, we provide evidence for G × E interactions and against the role of antagonistic pleiotropy in the maintenance of V_A for sexually selected traits. Using inbred lines of the lesser waxmoth Achroia grisella, we measured V_A for song attractiveness, condition and development rate under different competitive environments and found that genotypes differed in their plasticity. We argue that variation persists in natural populations because G × E interactions prevent any one variant from producing the optimal phenotype across all environments.     

WATER USE AND SALT BALANCE IN THREE SALT MARSH SUCCULENTS

Water-use characteristics and potential salt accumulation rates were studied in three halophytes, Salicornia virginica, Balis marítima and Borrichia frutescens, inhabiting a salinity gradient in the high marsh. Xylem pressure potential (ψ_ρ), leaf osmotic potential (ψ_π) and leaf relative water content were measured seasonally in the three species. Species growing on the high end of the salinity gradient developed more negative xylem pressure potentials compared to species growing at lower soil salinities. This trend was also observed for leaf osmotic potentials. Low mean leaf ψ_π (below –15 to –36 bars) and high ash contents (0.27–0.48 g NaCl/g DW) indicated salt accumulation in transpiring tissues. However, calculations of potential salt accumulation, based on rates of transpiration and substrate salinity, suggest that some mechanism of salt exclusion at the roots may be operating.     

Polynucleotide folding in yeast tRNAPhe: elucidation of short-, medium-, and long-range interactions of sugar-phosphate-sugar backbone and base using a "blocked" nucleotide probe

It has recently been proposed that the repeating backbone nucleotide may be regarded as consisting of two blocks of equal magnitude representable by two virtual bonds. Implicit consideration of the nucleotide (ψ,ψ) and internucleotide (ω′,ω) geometry that generate variety in polynucleotide conformations, and of the constancy of the repeating structural moieties (P-C4′ and C4′-P) independent of the above rotations, has enabled us to utilize this scheme in the study of ordered structures such as di-, oligonucleotides and, most significantly, tRNA. The polynucleotide folding dictated by short-, intermediate-, and long-range interactions in the monoclinic and orthorhombic forms is described and compared through circular plots depicting the virtual bond torsions and distance plots constructed independently for backbone as well as bases. The torsions and the bond angles associated with the virtual bonds afford a clear distinction between ordered helical segments from loops and bends of tRNA. Lower virtual bond torsions (?60° to 60°) concomitant with higher values of virtual bond angles characterize various bend regions, while torsions around 160°–210° typify ordered helical strands. The distance plot elucidates the type of interaction associated with various sub-structures (helix–helix, helix–loop, and loop–loop) that form the constituents of different structural domains. Several other features such as the manifestation of the P₁₀ loop and the approximate twofold symmetry in the tRNA molecule are conspicuous on the distance plot.     

Analyse conformationnelle de la N-méthylamide de l'acide L-pyroglutamique par diffusion Rayleigh depolarisée,spectroscopie de vibration et calcul de l'energie conformationnelle

Conformational analysis of N-methylamide of pyroglutamic acid has been performed by theoretical energy calculations and experimental physical techniques, namely, laser Raman spectroscopy and depolarized Rayleigh scattering. The two theoretically predicted conformations are evidenced in crystalline state (ψ₁ = +169°) and in aqueous solution (ψ₁ ? ?20°). This study confirms the interest of a careful vibrational analysis of peptides and N-deuterated derivatives for providing an estimate of the dihedral angle ψ. The relationship between amide III frequency and ψ values is emphasized.     

Studies on poly(L-lysine50, L-tyrosine50)-DNA interaction

Interaction between poly(Lys⁵⁰, Tyr⁵⁰) and DNA has been studied by absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy and thermal denaturation in 0.001M Tris, pH 6.8. The binding of this copolypeptide to DNA results in an absorbance enhancement and fluorescence quenching on tyrosine. There is also an increase in the tyrosine CD at 230 nm. The CD of DNA above 250 nm is slightly shifted to the longer wavelength which is qualitatively similar to, but quantitatively much smaller than, that induced by polylysine binding. At physiological pH the poly(Lys⁵⁰, Tyr⁵⁰)–DNA complex is soluble until there is one lysine and one tyrosine per nucleotide in the complex. The same ratio of amino acid residues to nucleotide has also been observed in copolypeptide-bound regions of the complex. The addition of more poly(Lys⁵⁰, Tyr⁵⁰) to DNA yields a constant melting temperature, T_m′, for bound base pairs at 90°C which is close to that of polylysine-bound DNA under the same condition. The melting temperature, T_m, of free base pairs at about 60°C on the other hand, is increased by 10°C as more copolypeptide is bound to DNA. As the temperature is raised, both absorption and CD spectra of the complexes with high coverage are changed, suggesting structural alteration, perhaps deprotonation, on bound tyrosine. The results in this report also suggest that intercalation of tyrosine in DNA is unlikely to be the mode of binding.     

Greatly Reduced Processing Temperature for a Solution‐Processed NiOx Buffer Layer in Polymer Solar Cells

By application of thermal annealing and UV ozone simultaneously, a solution‐processed NiO_x film can achieve a work function of approximately –5.1 eV at a temperature below 150 °C, which allows the processing of NiO_x that is compatible with fabrication of polymer solar cells (PSCs) on plastic substrates. The low processing temperature, which is greatly reduced from 250–400 °C to 150 °C, is attributed to the high concentration of NiOOH species on the film surface. This concentration will result in a large surface dipole and lead to increased work function. The pretreated NiO_x is demonstrated to be an efficient buffer layer in PSCs based on polymers with different highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels. Compared with conventional poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxy‐thiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)‐buffered PSCs, the NiO_x‐buffered PSCs achieve similar or improved device performance as well as enhanced device stability.     

Stereochemistry of nucleic acids and their constituents. IV. Allowed and preferred conformations of nucleosides,nucleoside mono-, di-, tri-, tetraphosphates,nucleic acids and polynucleotides

A uniform notation and convention is suggested to describe the torsional angles in nucleic acids and their derivatives. The torsional angle χ, relating the stereochemistry of the base with respect to the sugar, shows more variation for the β-purine glycosides than for the β-pyrimidine glycosides. This variation is attributed to the fact that the β-purine derivatives may form intramolecular O(5′)-H…N(3) hydrogen bonding. The χ values for the α-purine and α-pyrimidine glycosides show preference for the –syn-clinal (or anti) conformation. The mode of puckering of the sugar also influences the χ value. The various possible conformations for the furanose ring are described by the torsional angles τ₀ τ₁, τ₂, τ₃, τ₄, about the five ring bonds. From an analysis of the torsional angles (ω, ?, ψ, ψ′, ?′, ω′) about the sugar phosphate bonds in the x-ray structures of the known nucleosides, nucleotides, phosphodiesters, nucleic acids, and related compounds, and from a consideration of molecular models, it is found that the possible conformations for the backbone of helical nucleic acids is strikingly limited. Most importantly, the preferred conformation of the nucleotide unit in poly nucleotides and nucleic acids turns out to be the same as that found for the nucleotide in the crystal structure. It is observed that base “stacking” is a consequence of the restricted backbone conformation. The torsional angles are illustrated in the form of conformational “wheels”. Interrelation between the torsion angles about successive pairs of sugar-phosphate bonds are presented in the form of conformational maps: ω,?; ?,ψ; ψ.ψ′; ψ′,?′; ?′,ω′; ω′,ω. The ω′,ω map shows the perferred conformations about the inter-nucleotide bonds of right- and left-handed helices and the possible conformations of phosphodiesters. The preferred conformation of the pyrophosphate and triphosphate is that in which the phosphate oxygens display a staggered arrangement when viewed along the P–P axis. A plausible structure and conformation for the ATPM^2? backbound complex is presented. This structure differs from that proposed by SzentGyorgi in that the metal (only transition metals are considered here) is not bound to the NH₂ nitrogen of adenine, but rather is simultaneously bound to N(7) of the ring and three phosphates (α, β, γ), or N(7) of the ring and two phosphates (β, γ). The remaining metal coordination may be satisfied by solvent–metal or enzyme–metal bonds.