Base-Stacking Interactions in Double-Helical DNA Structures: Experiment Versus Theory

Abstract

Atom-atom potential energy calculations have been undertaken for deriving stacking energies in double-helical structures. A comparison between the energy patterns of A- and B-type double-helical fragments determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods versus idealized uniform models based on fiber diffraction data shows that the van der Waals stacking energy is largely sensitive to local changes in the relative orientation of adjacent base pairs. The sequence-dependent conformational variability observed in the high-resolution structures appears to be a consequence of the equipartitioning of the stacking energy along the double helix. The large energy variations expected for a uniform structure are dampened considerably in the observed structures by means of local changes in conformational features such as helix rotation and roll angles between base pairs.     

Crystallization and Analyses of Crystals of Various Chemotypes of R-Form Lipopolysaccharides from Salmonella Spp.

Various chemotypes (Re, Rd₂, Rd₁P^–, Rd₁, RcP^–, Rc, Rb₃, Rb₂, Rb₁, and Ra) of R-form lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of Salmonella spp. were crystallized by treatment with 70% ethanol containing 250 mM MgCl₂, and crystals of the LPSs were observed electron microscopically and analyzed by electron diffraction and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. All the LPSs tested formed three-dimensional crystals showing very similar shapes; hexagonal plate, solid column, discoid, square or rectangular plate, lozenge plate and truncated hexangular or rectangular pyramid forms. Electron diffraction patterns from the hexagonal plate crystals of all these LPSs obtained by electron irradiation from the direction perpendicular to the basal plane showed that they consist of hexagonal lattices with the lattice constant of 4.62 Å. The crystals of all the LPSs thus formed gave ring-like X-ray diffraction patterns because of their small sizes. The long-axis values were calculated from the X-ray diffraction patterns from crystals of all the LPSs in the low-angle region and they corresponded roughly to the length of the proposed primary chemical structures of the R cores of the LPSs. The volume occupied by a single molecule of all the LPSs were calculated from the molecular weights based on the proposed structures and the crystallographic data obtained by electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and density determination.     

Oxygen-oxygen distances in protein-bound crystallographic water suggest the presence of protonated clusters

BackgroundThe availability of high-resolution X-ray structures has shown that proteins contain numerous water molecules, but their role is still not fully understood. Protonated and deprotonated water species are often involved in biochemical reactions. However protons are exceedingly difficult to detect directly because they are electron-poor species.MethodsThe oxygen‑oxygen distance of the crystallographic water molecules was analyzed in a large high-resolution data set. Moreover, a detailed analysis was carried out on the protein-bound water in the available structures of carbonic anhydrase II and cytochrome c oxidase, chosen as protein models in which protonated and deprotonated water species play a significant role.ResultsThe analysis shows an excess of water-water distances below the expected value for hydrogen bond. In the cavities and on the surface of the considered model proteins, clusters of water molecules are found, whose structure suggests the presence of chemical species deriving from self-ionization of water.ConclusionsThe presence of a small maximum below the hydrogen bond threshold in the oxygen‑oxygen distance distribution of crystallographic water molecules, along with the location of many of these water clusters, suggest the presence of Zundel-like structures in, or near, the proteins. Particularly significant is the presence of such structures in protein regions which have been identified as proton antennae or channels.General significanceThis work shows the possibilities, still unexplored, offered by this type of analysis in detecting in structures obtained by X-ray diffraction the presence of aqueous protons or hydroxide ions, which are chemical species as important as elusive.     

Computer-Aided Topological Analysis of the Faujasite Lattice I: Exact Solution for Zeolite-X

Abstract

In order to study the possible configurations of Aluminum and Silicon atoms on a Faujasite lattice, two different methods of analysis are presented. The first method is based on the study of the physical properties of different lattice structures: the energy and the dipolar moment. The second one examines the topological properties of the configurations in order to count the inequivalent lattice structures. An original algorithm selects the configurations to be generated and compared in order to keep the computer time required at an acceptable level. The results from the two methods are compared and found to be in agreement.

In this paper we specialize our study to zeolite-X but the methods are general and can be applied to other types of lattices.     

Erythrocyte orientational and cell volume effects on NMR <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-space analysis: simulations of restricted diffusion

Pulsed field-gradient spin echo nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of water diffusing in erythrocytes leads to diffusion interference and diffraction effects, which are visualised in q-space plots of signal intensity versus the magnitude of the spatial wave-number vector q. Interpretation of the features of these q-space plots has been aided by Monte Carlo random walk simulations of diffusion in lattices of virtual erythrocytes. Here, the effect of varying the orientation of the cells with respect to the direction in which diffusion is measured, on the appearance of q-space plots, was investigated, together with the effect of changing the cell volume. We show that these changes are reflected in the appearance of the plots in a way that is diagnostic of the microscopic geometry of the sample.     

Synthesis and characterization of a proton transfer salt between 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and 2-aminobenzothiazole,and its complexes and their inhibition studies on carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes

Abstract

A novel proton transfer compound (HABT)⁺(Hdipic)^? (1) obtained from ABT and H₂dipic and its metal complexes (2–5) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction method has also been applied to 2 and 5. While complex 2 has a distorted octahedral conformation, 5 exhibits a distorted square pyramidal structure. The structures of 3 and 4 might be proposed as octahedral according to experimental data. All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effects on hCA I and II for their hydratase and esterase activities. Although there is no inhibition for hydratase activities, all compounds have inhibited the esterase activities of hCA I and II. The comparison of the inhibition studies of 1–5 to parent compounds indicates that 1–5 have superior inhibitory effects. The inhibition effects of 2–5 are also compared to inhibitory properties of the metal complexes of ABT and H₂dipic, revealing an improved transfection profile.     

When minerals become complex: an elementary introduction to superspace crystallography to describe natural-occurring incommensurately modulated structures

Abstract  Aperiodic crystals are compounds with perfect long-range order of their atomic structures, but without three-dimensional translational symmetry. In the last thirty years, incommensurate crystal structures have been discovered in many compounds from synthetic inorganic and organic compounds to proteins. With the introduction of the superspace theory it was realized that any crystal structure requiring more than three integers to index its diffraction pattern can be described as a periodic object in superspace with dimension equal to the number of the required integers. The structure observed in physical space is a three-dimensional intersection of the structure described as periodic in superspace. In recent years, the use of CCD and imaging plate systems considerably changed the sensitivity of data collection for modulated structures and, therefore, there was a need for further improvement of the methods. Today, several computer programs are able to solve and refine incommensurately modulated structures using the superspace approach. In nature, it is uncommon to find minerals having strong and sharp incommensurate satellites that could be used for a multidimensional refinement. As a very clear example, the case of natural ?kermanite, Ca₂MgSi₂O₇, which belongs to the melilite-group of minerals, will be shown in detail. The five-dimensional refinement carried out on this crystal shows that the displacive modulation of the atoms is mainly related to a variation of the Ca cation coordination. Keywords Superspace crystallography, Incommensurate structure, Modulation vector, Modulated minerals, Melilite Subject codes: G24009, P25056, P25099     

Layer-type complexes consisting of VOSO4 or VOPO4 and aliphatic alcohols

The intercalates of unhydrated VOSO₄ and VOPO₄ with alcohols (C₁ to C₈) have been prepared and characterized by their compositions, basal spacings and thermal stabilities. X-ray powder studies show that the layered structures of VOSO₄ and VOPO₄ lattices are maintained in these complexes. The alcohol molecules are penetrated into van der Waal's gaps of the host lattices and form bimolecular layers. The observed alternation of the basal spacing increments with the number of carbon atoms of the linear aliphatic chain is explained from the arrangement of these chains.     

Structure and Dynamics of Elastin Building Blocks. Boc-LG-OEt,Boc-VG-OEt,Boc-VGG-OH

Abstract

Short di- and tripeptides such as Boc-LG-OEt, Boc-VG-OEt and Boc-VGG-OH, corresponding to abundant repetitive sequences in elastin, have been extensively studied both in solid state, by X-ray diffraction, and in solution by circular dicroism and nuclear magnetic resonance. Furthermore, theoretical procedures such as simulated annealing and molecular dynamics were also performed on these peptides.

In general, the results indicate that no one single structure (be folded or extended) could be representative for these sequences in the protein, but rather that a multiplicity of interconverting conformers, ranging from folded to extended structures, should be considered. In any case, these structures, e.g. β-turns, polyglycine II and β-conformations, are those previously suggested to participate to conformational equilibria of elastin.     

Novel Types of N6,2′-Cyclonucleosides

Abstract

Upon oxidation followed by treatment with hydroxylamine, the 3′,5′-diblocked uridine 1 gave the expected oxime 2 together with the N⁶,2′.cyclonucleoside 3 formed by nucleophilic attack of hydroxylamine at both C-6 and C-2′ positions. Reduction of 2 took place predominantly from the α face and the major D-arabino compound obtained gave the cyclonucleosides, 7 via Michael type addition. The structures of the novel cyclonucleosides, particularly their configuration at C-6 were established by X-ray diffraction.     

The Complex of Poly(dG) · Poly(dC) with Arginine: Stabilization of the B Form and Transition to Multistranded Structures

Abstract

We have studied by X-ray diffraction fibers of complexes of poly(dG)·poly(dC) with N-α-acetyl-L-arginine ethylamide. Although these polynucleotides favour the A form of DNA, in this complex it is never found, thus confirming that arginine prevents the appearance of this form of DNA At high relative humidity the B form is present. Upon dehydration two new structures appear. One of them is a triple helix, most likely formed by poly(dC⁺) · poly(dG) · poly(dC). The other structure found also has features which indicate a multistranded conformation.     

SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF (Z) AND (E) α-ETHENYL ACYCLONUCLEOSIDES

Synthesis of Z and E ethenyl acyclonucleosides (6a-e and 7a-e) via Michael addition of nucleobases with the diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate is described. The structures of compounds have been confirmed by spectral data. New compounds were found to be inactive against DNA and RNA viruses.     

The octamers d(CGCGCGCG) and d(CGCATGCG) both crystallize as Z-DNA in the same hexagonal lattice

Both (dC-dG)₄ and d(CGCATGCG) crystallize in hexagonal lattices and their three-dimensional structure has been solved by x-ray diffraction analysis. Both molecules are found to form Z-DNA, although the fine details of the structure cannot be visualized due to the statistical disordering of the molecules along the c-axis, which is brought about by the symmetry constraints of the space group. This represents the first time in which the unmodified dinucleotide sequences CpAp and TpGp have been found to form Z-DNA in a crystalline lattice.     

Shotgun Crystallization Strategy for Structural Genomics II: Crystallization Conditions that Produce High Resolution Structures for T. maritima Proteins

Currently, 119 high resolution structures of Thermotoga maritima proteins have been determined by the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG, www.jcsg.org). Sixty-seven of these were solved using the first implementation of the multi-tiered crystallization strategy at the JCSG for the efficient crystallization of large numbers of protein targets. Previously, we reported the analysis of all proteins crystallized using this multi-tiered strategy [Lesley, S.A. et al. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 11664–11669; Page, R. et al. (2003) Acta Crystallogr. D Biol. Crystallogr. 59, 1028–1037]. Here, we extend the analysis and describe the crystallization characteristics of those proteins that produced diffraction quality crystals, ultimately resulting in high resolution structures. First, we found that over 77% (52) of the crystals used for structure determination were produced directly from high-throughput coarse screens, indicating that less than one quarter of the crystals (15) required fine screening. In addition, as observed for the proteome screen [Page, R. et al. (2003) Acta Crystallogr. D Biol. Crystallogr. 59, 1028–1037], the majority of conditions that produced crystals for natively expressed proteins, whose structures have been determined, were distinct from those of their more extensively purified and selenomethionine-labeled counterparts. Finally, 99% of the proteins whose structures were solved crystallized in conditions contained in the JCSG Minimal Core Screen [Page, R. et al. (2003) Acta Crystallogr. D Biol. Crystallogr. 59, 1028–1037; Page, R. and Stevens, R.C. (2004) Methods 34, 373–389], a set of 67 conditions previously identified as those most likely to produce crystals of a diverse set of proteins, confirming its success for rapid identification of proteins with a natural propensity to crystallize.     

Synthesis and characterization of some metal complexes of a proton transfer salt,and their inhibition studies on carbonic anhydrase isozymes and the evaluation of the results by statistical analysis

Abstract

A novel proton transfer compound (HMeOABT)?⁺?(HDPC)^? (1) and its Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes (2–5) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Complex 4 has distorted octahedral conformation revealed by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structures of the other complexes might be proposed as octahedral according to experimental data. All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effects on hCA I and II for their hydratase and esterase activities. Although there is no inhibition for hydratase activities, all compounds have inhibited the esterase activities of hCA I and II. Data have been analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance. The comparison of the inhibition studies of 1–5 to parent compounds indicates that 1–5 have superior inhibitory effects. The inhibition effects of 2–5 are also compared to inhibitory properties of the metal complexes of MeOABT and H2DPC, revealing an improved transfection profile.     

Cross-beta order and diversity in nanocrystals of an amyloid-forming peptide

The seven-residue peptide GNNQQNY from the N-terminal region of the yeast prion protein Sup35, which forms amyloid fibers, colloidal aggregates and highly ordered nanocrystals, provides a model system for characterizing the elusively protean cross-beta conformation. Depending on preparative conditions, orthorhombic and monoclinic crystals with similar lath-shaped morphology have been obtained. Ultra high-resolution (<0.5A spacing) electron diffraction patterns from single nanocrystals show that the peptide chains pack in parallel cross-beta columns with approximately 4.86A axial spacing. Mosaic striations 20-50 nm wide observed by electron microscopy indicate lateral size-limiting crystal growth related to amyloid fiber formation. Frequently obtained orthorhombic forms, with apparent space group symmetry P2(1)2(1)2(1), have cell dimensions ranging from /a/=22.7-21.2A, /b/=39.9-39.3A, /c/=4.89-4.86A for wet to dried states. Electron diffraction data from single nanocrystals, recorded in tilt series of still frames, have been mapped in reciprocal space. However, reliable integrated intensities cannot be obtained from these series, and dynamical electron diffraction effects present problems in data analysis. The diversity of ordered structures formed under similar conditions has made it difficult to obtain reproducible X-ray diffraction data from powder specimens; and overlapping Bragg reflections in the powder patterns preclude separated structure factor measurements for these data. Model protofilaments, consisting of tightly paired, half-staggered beta strands related by a screw axis, can be fit in the crystal lattices, but model refinement will require accurate structure factor measurements. Nearly anhydrous packing of this hydrophilic peptide can account for the insolubility of the crystals, since the activation energy for rehydration may be extremely high. Water-excluding packing of paired cross-beta peptide segments in thin protofilaments may be characteristic of the wide variety of anomalously stable amyloid aggregates.     

Influence of Acetyl and Bromine Substitutions on Stacking. Crystal and Molecular Structures of 8-Bromo 2′,3′,5′-Triacetyl Adenosine and 8-Bromo 2′,3′,5′-Triacetyl Guanosine

Abstract

The three dimensional structures of 8-bromo 2′,3′,5′-triacetyl adenosine (8-Br Tri A) and 8-bromo 2′,3′,5′-triacetyl guanosine (8-Br Tri G) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods to study the combined effect of bromine and acetyl substitutions on molecular conformation and interactions. The ribose puckers differ from those found in unbrominated Tri A and Tri G and unacetylated 8-Br A and 8-Br G analogues. The adenine bases in 8-Br Tri A form A.A.A base triplets using both Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen sites. Br atoms are not involved in stacking unlike most halogenated structures. The ‘scorpion tail’ positioning of acetyl over base in 8-Br Tri G is different from Tri G and is an interesting consequence of bromine substitution.     

Assignment of the absolute configuration of hepatoprotective highly oxygenated triterpenoids using X-ray,ECD, NMR J-based configurational analysis and HSQC overlay experiments

BackgroundThe plants of the genus Kadsura are widely distributed in China, South Korea, and Japan. Their roots and stems are traditionally used to treat blood diseases and pain. The main bioactive constituents of Kadsura longipedunculata comprise highly oxygenated triterpenoids. Schiartane-type nortriterpenoids showed anti-HIV, anti-HBV, and cytotoxic bioactivities. For such compounds, the absolute configuration influences the bioactivities, and hence its unambiguous determination is essential. In this work, the absolute configurations of three highly oxygenated schiartane-type nortriterpenoids were unequivocally assigned using X-ray, ECD, and J-based configuration analysis and HSQC overlay data.MethodsThe ethanol extract of Kadsura longipedunculata Finet et Gagnep was purified by column chromatography using silica, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS as substrates. To help assign the absolute configuration of schiartane-type nortriterpenoids, X-ray diffraction analysis, ECD experiment compared to ab initio computed data, DP4+ analysis, HSQC overlay, NOESY, and J-based configuration analysis were carried out. Hetero- and homo-nuclear coupling constants were extracted from HETLOC experiments.ResultsThree new highly oxygenated triterpenoids, micrandilactone I (1), micrandilactone J (2), and 22,23-di-epi-micrandilactone J (3) were isolated. Their 2D structures were solved using NMR and HRESIMS data and their absolute configurations were elucidated using X-ray diffraction analysis, ECD experimental results compared to ab initio computed spectra, HSQC overlay, DP4+, NOESY, and J-based configuration analysis. Micrandilactone I (1) and 22,23-di-epi-micrandilactone J (3) showed moderate hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced toxicity in HepG2 cells with cell survival rates of 53.0 and 50.2%, respectively, at 10 μM (bicyclol, 49.0%), while micrandilactone J (2) was inactive.General significanceThis is the first comprehensive stereochemical assignment of a non-crystalline schiartane-type nortriterpenoid like 3. This general protocol may contribute towards solving the problems hampering the assignment of the absolute configurations of other members of this class of nortriterpenoids.     

A novel proton transfer salt of 2-amino-6-sulfamoylbenzothiazole and its metal complexes: the evaluation of their inhibition effects on human cytosolic carbonic anhydrases

A novel proton transfer compound (SMHABT)⁺(HDPC)^? (1) obtained from 2-amino-6-sulfamoylbenzothiazole (SMABT) and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (H₂DPC) and its Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) complexes (2–4), and Fe(II) complex of SMABT (5) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Additionally, single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques were applied to complexes (2–4). All complexes (2–4) have distorted octahedral conformations and the structure of 5 might be proposed as octahedral according to spectral and analytical results. All compounds, including acetazolamide (AAZ) as the control compound, were also evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effects on human hCA I and hCA II for their hydratase and esterase activities. The synthesized compounds have remarkable inhibitory activities on hCA I and hCA II. Especially, the inhibition potentials of the salt and the metal complexes (1–5) are comparable with AAZ. Inhibition data have been analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance for multiple comparisons (p?相似文献   

Cytidinium H-Phosphonate Monohydrate,bis 2′-Deoxycytidinium H-Phosphonate and 2′-Deoxycytromium H-Phosphonate -Structures and Properties

Abstract

The crystal structures of cytidinium H-phosphonate monohydrate, bis 2′-deoxycytidinium H-phosphonate and 2′-deoxycytidinium H-phosphonate have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. The influence of protonation and hydrogen bond formation on geometry of the cytidine fragment has been studied. All three compounds have similar geometry and conformation but they form different H-bond networks. Contrary to the phosphates of cytidine and deoxycytidine, the phosphonates do not form direct base pairs but they strongly interacts with H₃PO₃ acid and/or its anions present in the crystal lattice. This seems to be more favourable than the base-base interactions. As a result a pleated sheets are formed consisting from alternating columns of the cations and anions. The sheets are joined by additional O-H… O=P bonds giving a 3D network.