1
|
Pushkaran AC, Arabi AA. A review on point mutations via proton transfer in DNA base pairs in the absence and presence of electric fields. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 277:134051. [PMID: 39069038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review focuses on spontaneous mutations that may occur during DNA replication, the fundamental process responsible for transferring genetic information. In 1963, Löwdin postulated that these mutations are primarily a result of proton transfer reactions within the hydrogen-bonded DNA base pairs. The single and double proton transfer reactions within the base pairs in DNA result in zwitterions and rare tautomers, respectively. For persistent mutations, these products must be generated at high rates and should be thermodynamically stable. This review covers the proton transfer reactions studied experimentally and computationally. The review also examines the influence of externally applied electric fields on the thermodynamics and kinetics of proton transfer reactions within DNA base pairs, and their biological implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anju Choorakottayil Pushkaran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, P.O. Box: 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alya A Arabi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, P.O. Box: 15551, United Arab Emirates.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Martínez-Fernández L, Green JA, Esposito L, Jouybari MY, Zhang Y, Santoro F, Kohler B, Improta R. The photoactivated dynamics of dGpdC and dCpdG sequences in DNA: a comprehensive quantum mechanical study. Chem Sci 2024; 15:9676-9693. [PMID: 38939156 PMCID: PMC11206432 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00910j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Study of alternating DNA GC sequences by different time-resolved spectroscopies has provided fundamental information on the interaction between UV light and DNA, a process of great biological importance. Multiple decay paths have been identified, but their interplay is still poorly understood. Here, we characterize the photophysics of GC-DNA by integrating different computational approaches, to study molecular models including up to 6 bases described at a full quantum mechanical level. Quantum dynamical simulations, exploiting a nonadiabatic linear vibronic coupling (LVC) model, coupled with molecular dynamics sampling of the initial structures of a (GC)5 DNA duplex, provide new insights into the photophysics in the sub-picosecond time-regime. They indicate a substantial population transfer, within 50 fs, from the spectroscopic states towards G → C charge transfer states involving two stacked bases (CTintra), thus explaining the ultrafast disappearance of fluorescence. This picture is consistent with that provided by quantum mechanical geometry optimizations, using time dependent-density functional theory and a polarizable continuum model, which we use to parametrize the LVC model and to map the main excited state deactivation pathways. For the first time, the infrared and excited state absorption signatures of the various states along these pathways are comprehensively mapped. The computational models suggest that the main deactivation pathways, which, according to experiment, lead to ground state recovery on the 10-50 ps time scale, involve CTintra followed by interstrand proton transfer from the neutral G to C-. Our calculations indicate that CTintra is populated to a larger extent and more rapidly in GC than in CG steps and suggest the likely involvement of monomer-like and interstrand charge transfer decay routes for isolated and less stacked CG steps. These findings underscore the importance of the DNA sequence and thermal fluctuations for the dynamics. They will also aid the interpretation of experimental results on other sequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Martínez-Fernández
- Departamento de Química Física de Materiales, Instituto de Química Física Blas Cabrera, CSIC 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - James Alexander Green
- Institut für Physikalische Theoretische Chemie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Luciana Esposito
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR (IBB-CNR) Via De Amicis 95 I-80145 Napoli Italy
| | - Martha Yaghoubi Jouybari
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa 10 Marie Curie Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
- National Research Council of Canada 100 Sussex Drive Ottawa Ontario K1A 0R6 Canada
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (ICCOM-CNR) Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via Moruzzi 1 I-56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Yuyuan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Fabrizio Santoro
- Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (ICCOM-CNR) Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via Moruzzi 1 I-56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Bern Kohler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus Ohio 43210 USA
| | - Roberto Improta
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR (IBB-CNR) Via De Amicis 95 I-80145 Napoli Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Winokan M, Slocombe L, Al-Khalili J, Sacchi M. Multiscale simulations reveal the role of PcrA helicase in protecting against spontaneous point mutations in DNA. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21749. [PMID: 38065963 PMCID: PMC10709646 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48119-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Proton transfer across hydrogen bonds in DNA can produce non-canonical nucleobase dimers and is a possible source of single-point mutations when these forms mismatch under replication. Previous computational studies have revealed this process to be energetically feasible for the guanine-cytosine (GC) base pair, but the tautomeric product (G[Formula: see text]C[Formula: see text]) is short-lived. In this work we reveal, for the first time, the direct effect of the replisome enzymes on proton transfer, rectifying the shortcomings of existing models. Multi-scale quantum mechanical/molecular dynamics (QM/MM) simulations reveal the effect of the bacterial PcrA Helicase on the double proton transfer in the GC base pair. It is shown that the local protein environment drastically increases the activation and reaction energies for the double proton transfer, modifying the tautomeric equilibrium. We propose a regime in which the proton transfer is dominated by tunnelling, taking place instantaneously and without atomic rearrangement of the local environment. In this paradigm, we can reconcile the metastable nature of the tautomer and show that ensemble averaging methods obscure detail in the reaction profile. Our results highlight the importance of explicit environmental models and suggest that asparagine N624 serves a secondary function of reducing spontaneous mutations in PcrA Helicase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Winokan
- Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Louie Slocombe
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Jim Al-Khalili
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Marco Sacchi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Botti G, Ceotto M, Conte R. Investigating the Spectroscopy of the Gas Phase Guanine-Cytosine Pair: Keto versus Enol Configurations. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:8940-8947. [PMID: 37768143 PMCID: PMC10577776 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
We report on a vibrational study of the guanine-cytosine dimer tautomers using state-of-the-art quasiclassical trajectory and semiclassical vibrational spectroscopy. The latter includes possible quantum mechanical effects. Through an accurate comparison to the experimental spectra, we are able to shine a light on the hydrogen bond network of one of the main subunits of DNA and put the experimental assignment on a solid footing. Our calculations corroborate the experimental conclusion that the global minimum Watson-and-Crick structure is not detected in the spectra, and there is no evidence of tunnel-effect-based double proton hopping. Our accurate assignment of the spectral features may also serve as a basis for the development of precise force fields to study the guanine-cytosine dimer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Botti
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Michele Ceotto
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Conte
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Warman H, Slocombe L, Sacchi M. How proton transfer impacts hachimoji DNA. RSC Adv 2023; 13:13384-13396. [PMID: 37143915 PMCID: PMC10152326 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra00983a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hachimoji DNA is a synthetic nucleic acid extension of DNA, formed by an additional four bases, Z, P, S, and B, that can encode information and sustain Darwinian evolution. In this paper, we aim to look into the properties of hachimoji DNA and investigate the probability of proton transfer between the bases, resulting in base mismatch under replication. First, we present a proton transfer mechanism for hachimoji DNA, analogous to the one presented by Löwdin years prior. Then, we use density functional theory to calculate proton transfer rates, tunnelling factors and the kinetic isotope effect in hachimoji DNA. We determined that the reaction barriers are sufficiently low that proton transfer is likely to occur even at biological temperatures. Furthermore, the rates of proton transfer of hachimoji DNA are much faster than in Watson-Crick DNA due to the barrier for Z-P and S-B being 30% lower than in G-C and A-T. Suggesting that proton transfer occurs more frequently in hachimoji DNA than canonical DNA, potentially leading to a higher mutation rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry Warman
- School of Physics and Maths, University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7XH UK
| | - Louie Slocombe
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7XH UK
| | - Marco Sacchi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7XH UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
King B, Winokan M, Stevenson P, Al-Khalili J, Slocombe L, Sacchi M. Tautomerisation Mechanisms in the Adenine-Thymine Nucleobase Pair during DNA Strand Separation. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:4220-4228. [PMID: 36939840 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c08631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
The adenine-thymine tautomer (A*-T*) has previously been discounted as a spontaneous mutagenesis mechanism due to the energetic instability of the tautomeric configuration. We study the stability of A*-T* while the nucleobases undergo DNA strand separation. Our calculations indicate an increase in the stability of A*-T* as the DNA strands unzip and the hydrogen bonds between the bases stretch. Molecular Dynamics simulations reveal the time scales and dynamics of DNA strand separation and the statistical ensemble of opening angles present in a biological environment. Our results demonstrate that the unwinding of DNA, an inherently out-of-equilibrium process facilitated by helicase, will change the energy landscape of the adenine-thymine tautomerization reaction. We propose that DNA strand separation allows the stable tautomerization of adenine-thymine, providing a feasible pathway for genetic point mutations via proton transfer between the A-T bases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin King
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Max Winokan
- Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Paul Stevenson
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Jim Al-Khalili
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Louie Slocombe
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| | - Marco Sacchi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Slocombe L, Winokan M, Al-Khalili J, Sacchi M. Quantum Tunnelling Effects in the Guanine-Thymine Wobble Misincorporation via Tautomerism. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:9-15. [PMID: 36562711 PMCID: PMC9841559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c03171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The misincorporation of a noncomplementary DNA base in the polymerase active site is a critical source of replication errors that can lead to genetic mutations. In this work, we model the mechanism of wobble mispairing and the subsequent rate of misincorporation errors by coupling first-principles quantum chemistry calculations to an open quantum systems master equation. This methodology allows us to accurately calculate the proton transfer between bases, allowing the misincorporation and formation of mutagenic tautomeric forms of DNA bases. Our calculated rates of genetic error formation are in excellent agreement with experimental observations in DNA. Furthermore, our quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics model predicts the existence of a short-lived "tunnelling-ready" configuration along the wobble reaction pathway in the polymerase active site, dramatically increasing the rate of proton transfer by a hundredfold, demonstrating that quantum tunnelling plays a critical role in determining the transcription error frequency of the polymerase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louie Slocombe
- Leverhulme
Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, GuildfordGU2 7XH, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Surrey, GuildfordGU2 7XH, U.K.
| | - Max Winokan
- Leverhulme
Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, GuildfordGU2 7XH, U.K.
| | - Jim Al-Khalili
- Department
of Physics, University of Surrey, GuildfordGU2 7XH, U.K.
| | - Marco Sacchi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Surrey, GuildfordGU2 7XH, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Slocombe L, Winokan M, Al-Khalili J, Sacchi M. Proton transfer during DNA strand separation as a source of mutagenic guanine-cytosine tautomers. Commun Chem 2022; 5:144. [PMID: 36697962 PMCID: PMC9814255 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00760-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton transfer between the DNA bases can lead to mutagenic Guanine-Cytosine tautomers. Over the past several decades, a heated debate has emerged over the biological impact of tautomeric forms. Here, we determine that the energy required for generating tautomers radically changes during the separation of double-stranded DNA. Density Functional Theory calculations indicate that the double proton transfer in Guanine-Cytosine follows a sequential, step-like mechanism where the reaction barrier increases quasi-linearly with strand separation. These results point to increased stability of the tautomer when the DNA strands unzip as they enter the helicase, effectively trapping the tautomer population. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the relevant strand separation time is two orders of magnitude quicker than previously thought. Our results demonstrate that the unwinding of DNA by the helicase could simultaneously slow the formation but significantly enhance the stability of tautomeric base pairs and provide a feasible pathway for spontaneous DNA mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louie Slocombe
- grid.5475.30000 0004 0407 4824Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH UK ,grid.5475.30000 0004 0407 4824Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH UK
| | - Max Winokan
- grid.5475.30000 0004 0407 4824Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH UK
| | - Jim Al-Khalili
- grid.5475.30000 0004 0407 4824Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH UK
| | - Marco Sacchi
- grid.5475.30000 0004 0407 4824Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Özçelik E, Akar DE, Zaman S, Demir D. Time delay during intra-base proton tunneling in the guanine base of the single stranded DNA. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 173:4-10. [PMID: 35659504 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous point mutations are one of the main actors in evolution, and the tautomerization of organic bases in the DNA is hypothesized to be the underlying mechanism of this crucial process. Tautomerization can be induced by proton tunneling, and if it occurs in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) during the replication process, tautomerized bases might give rise to a mismatch, which will eventually defect the genetic code. In the present work, we report on the tautomerization time in the guanine base of the ssDNA. The model we use includes an intra-base tunneling mechanism such that time tunneling (delay time) is estimated to be around a few pico-seconds. The time delay is found to be biologically relevant which indicates that it is long enough to induce point mutations. Our results close a gap in the literature and sheds light on the importance of point mutations originating from quantum effects in the ssDNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elif Özçelik
- Sabancı University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Demet Eda Akar
- Sabancı University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Semih Zaman
- Sabancı University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Durmuş Demir
- Sabancı University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Effects of substituent and excess electron attachment on proton transfer between the radiosensitizer base pairs in aqueous solution. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
11
|
Stochastic dynamic quantitative and 3D structural matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analyses of mixture of nucleosides. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
12
|
Brahma M, Ranjan S, Tripathi P, Krishnamoorthy G. Modifying the proton transfer of 3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole by water, confinement and confined water. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 272:120911. [PMID: 35131618 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.120911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The effect of water, confinement and confined water on the proton transfer of 3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (bis-HPTA) was investigated. Water alters the proton transfer process. At higher pH, an anion is formed in water and it undergoes intermolecular proton transfer and forms a keto tautomer. Confinement of molecule in β-cyclodextrin affects the intramolecular proton transfer. It also prevents the intermolecular proton transfer of the anionic form. In reverse micelle, the molecule resides in the interfacial region and interacts with bound water. The intermolecular hydrogen bond of the surfactants opens the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the weaker β-ring of bis-HPTA. It led to single tautomer emission from bis-HPTA. An increase in water amount enhances the relative amount of trans-enol, but predominantly tautomer emission is observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mongoli Brahma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Sanjeev Ranjan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - Pravesh Tripathi
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India
| | - G Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781039, India.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nieuwland C, Hamlin TA, Fonseca Guerra C, Barone G, Bickelhaupt FM. B-DNA Structure and Stability: The Role of Nucleotide Composition and Order. ChemistryOpen 2022; 11:e202100231. [PMID: 35083880 PMCID: PMC8805170 DOI: 10.1002/open.202100231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
We have quantum chemically analyzed the influence of nucleotide composition and sequence (that is, order) on the stability of double-stranded B-DNA triplets in aqueous solution. To this end, we have investigated the structure and bonding of all 32 possible DNA duplexes with Watson-Crick base pairing, using dispersion-corrected DFT at the BLYP-D3(BJ)/TZ2P level and COSMO for simulating aqueous solvation. We find enhanced stabilities for duplexes possessing a higher GC base pair content. Our activation strain analyses unexpectedly identify the loss of stacking interactions within individual strands as a destabilizing factor in the duplex formation, in addition to the better-known effects of partial desolvation. Furthermore, we show that the sequence-dependent differences in the interaction energy for duplexes of the same overall base pair composition result from the so-called "diagonal interactions" or "cross terms". Whether cross terms are stabilizing or destabilizing depends on the nature of the electrostatic interaction between polar functional groups in the pertinent nucleobases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celine Nieuwland
- Department of Theoretical ChemistryAmsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS)Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM)Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 10831081 HVAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
| | - Trevor A. Hamlin
- Department of Theoretical ChemistryAmsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS)Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM)Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 10831081 HVAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
| | - Célia Fonseca Guerra
- Department of Theoretical ChemistryAmsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS)Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM)Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 10831081 HVAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
- Leiden Institute of ChemistryGorlaeus LaboratoriesLeiden UniversityEinsteinweg 552300 CCLeiden (TheNetherlands
| | - Giampaolo Barone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e FarmaceuticheUniversità degli Studi di PalermoViale delle Scienze, Edificio 1790128PalermoItaly
| | - F. Matthias Bickelhaupt
- Department of Theoretical ChemistryAmsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS)Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM)Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 10831081 HVAmsterdam (TheNetherlands
- Institute of Molecules and MaterialsRadboud University NijmegenHeyendaalseweg 1356525 AJNijmegen (TheNetherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Computational investigation on potential energy surface evolution: The tautomerization from enediyne to enyne-allene. Chem Phys Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2021.139298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
15
|
Atomistic mechanisms of the tautomerization of the G·C base pairs through the proton transfer: quantum-chemical survey. J Mol Model 2021; 27:367. [PMID: 34855024 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-021-04988-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study is devoted to the investigation of the G·C*tO2(WC)↔G*NH3·C*t(WC), G·C*O2(WC)↔G*NH3·C*(WC) and G*·C*O2(WC)↔G*NH3·C(wWC)↓ tautomerization reactions occurring through the proton transfer, obtained at the MP2/6-311++G(2df,pd)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory in gas phase under normal conditions ('WC' means base pair in Watson-Crick configuration, T=298.15 K). These reactions lead to the formation of the G*NH3·C*t(WC), G*NH3·C*(WC) and G*NH3·C(wWC)↓ base pairs by the participation of the G*NH3 base with NH3 group. Gibbs free energies of activation for these reactions are 6.43, 11.00 and 1.63 kcal·mol-1, respectively. All of these tautomerization reactions are dipole active. Finally, we believe that these non-dissociative processes, which are tightly connected with the tautomeric transformations of the G·C base pairs, play an outstanding role in supporting of the spatial structure of the DNA and RNA molecules with various functional purposes.
Collapse
|
16
|
Xu X, Li Y, Xu S, Leng X, Chen X, Li W. Directional observations of guanine and cytosine pairing structures on HOPG. Chem Phys 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2021.111189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
|
17
|
Slocombe L, Al-Khalili JS, Sacchi M. Quantum and classical effects in DNA point mutations: Watson-Crick tautomerism in AT and GC base pairs. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:4141-4150. [PMID: 33533770 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp05781a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Proton transfer along the hydrogen bonds of DNA can lead to the creation of short-lived, but biologically relevant point mutations that can further lead to gene mutation and, potentially, cancer. In this work, the energy landscape of the canonical A-T and G-C base pairs (standard, amino-keto) to tautomeric A*-T* and G*-C* (non-standard, imino-enol) Watson-Crick DNA base pairs is modelled with density functional theory and machine-learning nudge-elastic band methods. We calculate the energy barriers and tunnelling rates of hydrogen transfer between and within each base monomer (A, T, G and C). We show that the role of tunnelling in A-T tautomerisation is statistically unlikely due to the presence of a small reverse reaction barrier. On the contrary, the thermal populations of the G*-C* point mutation could be non-trivial and propagate through the replisome. For the direct intramolecular transfer, the reaction is hindered by a substantial energy barrier. However, our calculations indicate that tautomeric bases in their monomeric form have remarkably long lifetimes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Slocombe
- Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral Training Centre, UK.
| | - J S Al-Khalili
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - M Sacchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cui X, Zhao Y, Li Z, Meng Q, Zhang C. Proton Transfer and Nitro Rotation Tuned Photoisomerization of Artificial Base Pair-ZP. Front Chem 2020; 8:605117. [PMID: 33330400 PMCID: PMC7734142 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.605117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the successful incorporation of artificial base pairs in genetics has made a significant progress in synthetic biology. The present work reports the proton transfer and photoisomerization of unnatural base pair ZP, which is synthesized from the pyrimidine analog 6-amino-5-nitro-3-(1-β-D-2'-deoxyribo-furanosyl)-2 (1H)-pyridone (Z) and paired with its Watson-Crick complement, the purine analog 2-amino-8-(1'-β-D-2'- deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)-one (P). To explain the mechanism of proton transfer process, we constructed the relaxed potential energy surfaces (PESs) linking the different tautomers in both gas phase and solution. Our results show that the double proton transfer in the gas phase occurs in a concerted way both in S0 and S1 states, while the stepwise mechanism becomes more favorable in solution. The solvent effect can promote the single proton transfer, which undergoes a lower energy barrier in S1 state due to the strengthened hydrogen bond. In contrast to the excited state ultrafast deactivation process of the natural bases, there is no conical intersection between S0 and S1 states along the proton transfer coordinate to activate the decay mechanism in ZP. Of particular relevance to the photophysical properties, charge-transfer character is obviously related to the nitro rotation in S1 state. We characterized the molecular vibration effect on the electronic properties, which reveals the electronic excitation can be tuned by the rotation-induced structural distortion accompanied with the electron localization on nitro group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Cui
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing Technology, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing Technology, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhibing Li
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing Technology, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingtian Meng
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing Technology, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Changzhe Zhang
- Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Image Processing Technology, School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Brovarets OO, Hovorun DM. Tautomeric hypothesis: to be or not to be? Quantum-mechanical verdict. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.15407/ubj92.04.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|