Role of backbones on the interaction of metal ions with deoxyribonucleic acid and peptide nucleic acid: A DFT study

A Study Modeling Bridged Nucleic Acid-Based ASOs and Their Impact on the Structure and Stability of ASO/RNA Duplexes

Antisense medications treat diseases that cannot be treated using traditional pharmacological technologies. Nucleotide monomers of bare and phosphorothioate (PS)-modified LNA, N-MeO-amino-BNA, 2',4'-BNANC[NH], 2',4'-BNANC[NMe], and N-Me-aminooxy-BNA antisense modifications were considered for a detailed DFT-based quantum chemical study to estimate their molecular-level structural and electronic properties. Oligomer hybrid duplex stability is described by performing an elaborate MD simulation study by incorporating the PS-LNA and PS-BNA antisense modifications onto 14-mer ASO/RNA hybrid gapmer type duplexes targeting protein PTEN mRNA nucleic acid sequence (5'-CTTAGCACTGGCCT-3'/3'-GAAUCGUGACCGGA-5'). Replica sets of MD simulations were performed accounting to two data sets, each set simulated for 1 μs simulation time. Bulk properties of oligomers are regulated by the chemical properties of their monomers. As such, the primary goal of this work focused on establishing an organized connection between the monomeric BNA nucleotide's electronic effects observed in DFT studies and the macroscopic behavior of the BNA antisense oligomers, as observed in MD simulations. The results from this study predicted that spatial orientation of MO-isosurfaces of the BNA nucleotides are concentrated in the nucleobase region. These BNA nucleotides may become less accessible for various electronic interactions when coupled as ASOs forming duplexes with target RNAs and when the ASO/RNA duplexes further bind with the RNase H. Understanding such electronic interactions is crucial to design superior antisense modifications with specific electronic properties. Also, for the particular nucleic acid sequence solvation of the duplexes although were higher compared to the natural oligonucleotides, their binding energies being relatively lower may lead to decreased antisense activity compared to existing analogs such as the LNAs and MOEs. Fine tuning these BNAs to obtain superior binding affinity is thus a necessity.

Competitive Influence of Alkali Metals in the Ion Atmosphere on Nucleic Acid Duplex Stability

The nonspecific atmosphere around nucleic acids, often termed the ion atmosphere, encompasses a collection of weak ion-nucleic acid interactions. Although nonspecific, the ion atmosphere has been shown to influence nucleic acid folding and structural stability. Studies investigating the composition of the ion atmosphere have shown competitive occupancy of the atmosphere between metal ions in the same solution. Many studies have investigated single ion effects on nucleic acid secondary structure stability; however, no comprehensive studies have investigated how the competitive occupancy of mixed ions in the ion atmosphere influences nucleic acid secondary structure stability. Here, six oligonucleotides were optically melted in buffers containing molar quantities, or mixtures, of either XCl (X = Li, K, Rb, or Cs) or NaCl. A correction factor was developed to better predict RNA duplex stability in solutions containing mixed XCl/NaCl. For solutions containing a 1:1 mixture of XCl/NaCl, one alkali metal chloride contributed more to duplex stability than the other. Overall, there was a 54% improvement in predictive capabilities with the correction factor compared with the standard 1.0 M NaCl nearest-neighbor models. This correction factor can be used in models to better predict RNA secondary structure in solutions containing mixed XCl/NaCl.

N. Uppuladinne M, Sarma PJ, Biswakarma N, Sonavane UB, Joshi RR, Ray SK, Namsa ND, Deka RC. Design of LNA Analogues Using a Combined Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics Approach for RNA Therapeutics

Antisense therapeutics treat a wide spectrum of diseases, many of which cannot be addressed with the current drug technologies. In the quest to design better antisense oligonucleotide drugs, we propose five novel LNA analogues (A1-A5) for modifying antisense oligonucleotides and establishing each with the five standard nucleic acids: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). Monomer nucleotides of these modifications were considered for a detailed Density Functional Theory (DFT)-based quantum chemical analysis to determine their molecular-level structural and electronic properties. A detailed MD simulation study was done on a 14-mer ASO (5'-CTTAGCACTGGCCT-3') containing these modifications targeting PTEN mRNA. Results from both molecular- and oligomer-level analysis clearly depicted LNA-level stability of the modifications, the ASO/RNA duplexes maintaining stable Watson-Crick base pairing preferring RNA-mimicking A-form duplexes. Notably, monomer MO isosurfaces for both purines and pyrimidines were majorly distributed on the nucleobase region in modifications A1 and A2 and in the bridging unit in modifications A3, A4, and A5, suggesting that A3/RNA, A4/RNA, and A5/RNA duplexes interact more with the RNase H and solvent environment. Accordingly, solvation of A3/RNA, A4/RNA, and A5/RNA duplexes was higher compared to that of LNA/RNA, A1/RNA, and A2/RNA duplexes. This study has resulted in a successful archetype for creating advantageous nucleic acid modifications tailored for particular needs, fulfilling a useful purpose of designing novel antisense modifications, which may overcome the drawbacks and improve the pharmacokinetics of existing LNA antisense modifications.

DNA Origami-Encoded Integration of Heterostructures

Integrating dissimilar materials at the nanoscale is crucial for modern electronics and optoelectronics. The structural DNA nanotechnology provides a universal platform for precision assembly of materials; nevertheless, heterogeneous integration of dissimilar materials with DNA nanostructures has yet to be explored. Here we report a DNA origami-encoded strategy for integrating silica-metal heterostructures. Theoretical and experimental studies reveal distinctive mechanisms for the binding and aggregation of silica and metal clusters on protruding double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) strands that are prescribed on the DNA origami template. In particular, the binding energy differences of silica/metal clusters and DNA molecules underlies the accessibilities of dissimilar material areas on DNA origami. We find that, by programming the densities and lengths of protruding dsDNA strands on DNA origami, silica and metal materials can be independently deposited at their predefined areas with a high vertical precision of 2 nm. We demonstrate the integration of silica-gold and silica-silver heterostructures with high site addressability. This DNA nanotechnology-based strategy is thus applicable for integrating various types of dissimilar materials, which opens new routes for bottom-up electronics.

Synthesis and spectroscopic interpretations of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) decxycholate complexes with molecular docking of COVId-19 protease

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) decxycholate complexes are interesting due to their biologically active and deliberate interest in the research due to their coordination properties. The microanalytical ‘elemental analysis’, molar conductivity, (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy, thermal analyses (TGA/DSC), UV-vis spectra, and ESR for copper(II) decxycholate complex investigations were performed in the structural assignments of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) decxycholate complexes. Reaction of the sodium deoxycholate ligand (C24H39O4Na) with three transition metal ions form the complexes of formulae, [M(C24H39O4)2(H2O)2]. xH2O where M = Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) where x = 2 for Cu(II) and x = 4 in case of M = Co(II) or Ni(II) metal ions. The FTIR spectra of the complexes show that decxycholate molecule is present as bidentate ligand. Molecular docking utilizing to additionally examine the interaction of COVID-19 (6LU7) with different complexes of deoxycholic acid with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II). Furthermore, in the case of Co(II) deoxycholate complex, the probe is surrounded by amino residues Met235, Pro241, Glu240, Pro108, Gln110, Phe294, and Ile152. The probe molecule of Ni(II) deoxycholate complex is sited close to amino acids Tyr126, Tyr239, Leu287, Leu272, and Lys137. For, Cu(II) deoxycholate complex, the residues of amino acids comprise of Pro132, Pro108, Gln110, Gly109, Ile200, Asn203, Val202, His246, Pro293 and Tyr154. The binding energy was determined from the docking reads for Co(II)–6LU7, Ni(II)–6LU7 and Cu(II)–6LU7 deoxycholate compounds were found to be −446.99, −500.52, −398.13 kcal mol−1 individually.

The inorganic chemicals that surround us: role of tellurium, selenium and zinc on behavioural functions in mammals

Living organisms live in continuous interaction with its environment. During this process changes in one can induce adaptive responses on the other. Many factors in the environment have been studied with the notorious distinction of been rare or to be of high intensity strength in its interaction with living organisms. However, little attention has been put on some factors that have constant interaction with organisms but usually have low intensity strength, such as the case of the inorganic chemical environment that surrounds us. In this review, the interaction between the chemical element and living organisms is discussed under a theoretical model of interaction between compartments, giving attention to tellurium (Te), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) on some cognitive functions in human and animals. After studies in our laboratory of the phenotypic expression of the HSR (Hand Skill Relative) gene in school children community living in geographic zone rich in minerals and mines of La Rioja province, Argentine, where Te was found to be in higher non-toxic concentrations, a translational experimental model to maturing rats exposed to this trace element was made. Te was found to increase some parameters related to locomotion in an open field induced by novelty and exploratory motivation. At the same time, inhibition of lateralized responses, survival responses and social activity was also observed. Some of these changes, particularly those related to lateralization had similarity with that found previously in children of La Rioja province. Discussion of similarities and discrepancies of biologic effects between animals and humans, about the possible meaning of Te and its interaction with Zn and Se with relevance to humans was analyzed.

Role of the backbone of nucleic acids in the stability of Hg2+-mediated canonical base pairs and thymine–thymine mispair: a DFT study

Metal-mediated base pairs have attracted attention in nucleic acid research and molecular devices. Herein, we report a systematic computational study on Hg²⁺-mediated base pairs with canonical and TT mispair dimers. The computed results revealed that the model _DTT_D (thymine–thymine with DNA backbone) mispair is more energetically favored than the canonical base pairs. The _DTTTT_D mispair dimer is more energetically stable by ∼36.0 kcal mol⁻¹ than the corresponding canonical _DATGC_D base pairs. The Hg⋯Hg metallophilic interaction was observed with the _DTTTT_D mispair and not the canonical base pairs. The _DATGC_D (adenine: thymine, guanine: cytosine) base pairs were significantly perturbed upon interaction with the mercury ion; however, the TTTT mispairs were aligned upon interaction with the Hg²⁺ ion. The _DTTTT_D mispair adopts a B-type conformation with proper alignment of its nucleobases along the axis. The MESP calculations showed a larger V_min value for the interacting nitrogen centers of the thymine nucleobase, supporting its stronger binding with the Hg²⁺ ion compared to the other nucleobases. The role of the backbone is crucial in nucleic acids to determine many useful properties, and PNAs have been exploited extensively in the literature. Thus, this study was further extended to metal-mediated PNA-containing dimer mispairs such as _DTTTT_P (thymine–thymine dimer model with hybrid DNA and PNA backbone) and _PTTTT_P (thymine–thymine dimer model with PNA backbone). The calculated results showed that the _PTTTT_P PNA mispair is thermodynamically more stable than the canonical dimers. The enthalpy calculated for _DTTTT_D and _PTTTT_P at the B3LYP-D3/6-31G* level of theory showed that _PTTTT_P is ∼3.0 kcal mol⁻¹ more stable than _DTTTT_D. The metallophilic interaction of Hg²⁺ ions in the _PTTTT_P mispair was not observed; however, the metal ions interact with the nitrogen of the thymine bases, presumably enhancing the stability of this mispair by strong electrostatic interactions. These interactions arise due to the P-type conformations of PNAs, which lack metallophilic interactions between the metal ions and can adopt a wider and more unwounded helix. The interaction of the mispair dimers with the explicit water molecules also showed a similar stability trend to that observed with the implicit solvation model. The metallophilic interaction (Hg⋯Hg) was found to be conserved in _DTTTT_D. The AIM analysis performed for these dimers revealed that the interactions are primarily electrostatic in nature. The UV-vis absorption spectra of the mispair systems calculated at the B3LYP-D3/6-31G* level of theory using the TD-DFT method in the aqueous phase suggested that the absorption maximum is located at a longer wavelength in the case of _PTTTT_P compared to the corresponding _DTTTT_D and can be a signature to identify the formation of metal-mediated nucleic acid systems.

Hg²⁺-mediated PNA–PNA mispair duplex (_PTTTT_P) is more energetically favoured compared to DNA–DNA mispair duplex (_DTTTT_D).