Base-pairing configurations between purines and pyrimidines in the solid state. IV. Crystal and molecular structure of two 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complexes, 1-methyl-5-bromouracil: 9-ethyl-2-aminopurine and 1-methyl-5-fluorouracil: 9-ethyl-2-aminopurine

Molecular recognition patterns of 2-aminopurine versus adenine: a view through ternary copper(II) complexes

In contrast to the comprehensive structural information about metal complexes with adenine, the corresponding to its isomer 2-aminopurine (H2AP) is extremely poor. With the aim to rationalize the metal binding pattern of H2AP, we report the molecular and/or crystal structure of four novel compounds with various iminodiacetate-like (IDA-like) copper(II) chelates: [Cu(IDA)(H2AP)(H2O)]·H2O (1), [Cu(MIDA)(H2AP)(H2O)]·3H2O (2), {[Cu(NBzIDA)(H2AP)]·1.5H2O}n (3) and [Cu(MEBIDA)(H2AP)(H2O)]·3.5 H2O (4), where IDA, MIDA, NBzIDA and MEBIDA are R=H, CH3, benzyl- and p-tolyl- in R-N-(CH2-COO-)2 ligands, respectively. Synthesis strategies include direct reactions of copper(II) chelates with H2AP (alone, for 1 and 3) and/or with the base pairs H2AP:thymine (1-4) or H2AP:cytosine (3). Moreover, these compounds have been also investigated by spectral and thermal methods. Regardless of the N-derivative of the IDA chelator, molecular recognition between H2AP and the referred Cu(II)-chelates only displays the formation of the Cu-N7(purine-like) bond what is clearly in contrast to what was previously reported for adenine. The metal binding pattern of 2-aminopurine is discussed on the basis of the electronic effects and steric hindrance of the 2-amino exocyclic group.

Rebek imides and their adenine complexes: preferences for Hoogsteen binding in the solid state and in solution

Rebek imides (3), formed from Kemp's triacid, were developed in the mid-1980's as model receptors for adenine derivatives. We report here the first account of their hydrogen-bonding preferences upon binding 9-ethyladenine (1a) in the solid state. Structural analysis begins with simple imides 3a-e that form discrete dimers, while bis-imide 4 forms ribbon-like structures in the crystalline phase. The hydrogen-bonding interface within each of the representative assemblies features short intermolecular N(3)imide...O(8*)imide* distances (ca. 2.95 A), indicative of two-point hydrogen bonding. Imides 3f-h could be co-crystallized with 1a; single-crystal X-ray analysis of the resulting complexes reveals hydrogen-bonding geometries nearly identical to those observed in nucleobase complexes of adenine and pyrimidine derivatives. Imides 3f and 3g form 2:1 ternary assemblies with 1a; the complex of the former, (3f)2 x 1a, displays both Watson-Crick- and Hoogsteen-type hydrogen bonding, whereas the complex of the latter, (3g)2 x 1a, shows the Hoogsteen motif and imide hydrogen bonding to N(3) of the purine base (N(3)adenine...N(3'')imide = 3.07(1) A). Imide 3h forms a 1:1 complex with 1a (3h x 1a x CHCl3) and displays Hoogsteen binding exclusively. All of the 3 x 1a assemblies show C(adenine)...O(imide) distances (3.38-3.75 A) that are consistent with C-H...O hydrogen bonding. Base-pairing preferences for the Rebek imides are further explored in solution by 1H NMR one-dimensional NOE experiments and by computational means; in all cases the Hoogsteen motif is modestly favored relative to its Watson-Crick counterpart.

Solution conformation of an oligonucleotide containing a G.G mismatch determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular mechanics

We have determined by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance studies and molecular mechanics calculations the three dimensional solution structure of the non-selfcomplementary oligonucleotide, d(GAGGAGGCACG). d(CGTGCGTCCTC) in which the central base pair is G.G. This is the first structural determination of a G.G mismatch in a oligonucleotide. Two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra show that the bases of the mismatched pair are stacked into the helix and that the helix adopts a classical B-DNA form. Spectra of the exchangeable protons show that the two guanosines are base paired via their imino protons. For the non-exchangeable protons and for some of the exchangeable protons nuclear Overhauser enhancement build up curves at short mixing times have been measured. These give 84 proton-proton distances which are sensitive to the helix conformation. One of the guanosines adopts a normal anti conformation while the other is syn or close to syn. All non-terminal sugars are C2' endo. These data sets were incorporated into the refinement of the oligonucleotide structure by molecular mechanics calculations. The G.G mismatch shows a symmetrical base pairing structure. Although the mismatch is very bulky many of its features are close to that of normal B-DNA. The mismatch induces a small lateral shift in the helix axis and the sum of the helical twist above and below the mismatch is close to that of B-DNA.

Analysis of conformational parameters in nucleic acid fragments. II. Co-crystal complexes of nucleic acid bases

Studies have been made of conformational parameters in co-crystal complexes and compounds of nucleic acid bases in which there is the possibility of formation of hetero-base-pairs. Using published data extracted from the Cambridge structural database, a total of 37 base-pairs were found, of which 25 were hetero-pairs and 12 homo-pairs. These base-pairs were subject to analysis to reveal hydrogen bond parameters, propeller twist, buckle and C1'-C1' separation (or a similar parameter if C1' atoms were not present). Hetero-pairs were found to show larger twists than homo-pairs, the magnitude of twist being unrelated to hydrogen bond parameters or buckle value. The propeller twisting is less pronounced in these nucleic acid bases than in nucleosides, but still has a significant magnitude. Propeller twisting in hetero-pairs is found to be larger than in homo-pairs. Hetero-pairs appear to be formed preferentially in competitive situations.

Correlation of crystallographically determined and computationally predicted hydrogen-bonded pairing configurations of nucleic acid bases

Crystals of pairs of H-bonded nucleic acid bases are generally grown from nonaqueous solutions. We have been able to predict the H-bonded configuration of most of the base pairs in such crystals by using an empirical-potential function we recently developed for calculating the energetics of such interactions in chloroform solution. The following configurations were computationally predicted to predominate and are those observed in crystal structures: the Watson-Crick G.C configuration instead of two competing configurations; the Hoogsteen-type configurations for A.T, A.U, and A.br5U instead of Watson-Crick-type configurations; the Watson-Crick-type configurations for 2-aminopurine.br5U instead of the purine N3-type configuration; the Watson-Crick-type configurations for 8-bromo-2,6-diaminopurine.T instead of the Hoogsteen or purine-N3-type configurations; the syn-anti configuration for br8A.br8I instead of the anti-anti configuration; the Watson-Crick-type configurations for br8A.br5U instead of the Hoogsteen-type configurations; and the Hoogsteen-type configurations for me8A.T instead of the Watson-Crick configurations. In addition, the H-bonded base triplet br5U.2,6-diaminopurine.br5U was calculated to have Hoogsteen and Watson-Crick-type configurations but not the purine N3-type configuration. Apparently, lattice forces and chance nucleation of a minor base pairing configuration are not significant when the stability difference between the preferred and alternative configurations exceeds a relatively small value. In one case, in order to correctly predict the base pairing configuration in the crystal, it was necessary to include a contribution due to a C--H...O bond, suggesting that this type of H bond can make a significant contribution to base pair stability.