Conformational energy calculations for dinucleotide molecules. A study of the component mononucleotide adenosine 3''-monophosphate. |
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Authors: | J M Thornton and P M Bayley |
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Abstract: | Semi-empirical conformational energy calculations were performed for the mononucleotides 5'-AMP, NMN+ and 3'-AMP. Only intramolecular forces are considered. Essentially all conformational states were explored to investigate the population distribution likely to be found in a non-crystalline environment. The calculations suggest that 5'-AMP and 3'-AMP are relatively flexible and a mixture of conformational states is expected. In contrast, the results for NMN+ suggest that a strong electrostatic interaction between the positively charged nicotinamide nitrogen atom and negatively charged phosphate oxygen is possible, stabilizing a few specific states. This interaction will be most significant in a solvent-free situation or an apolar environment. |
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