Relevance of the reaction of a manganese(III) chelate with hydroxide ion to photosynthesis: Reaction of hydroxide ion with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)porphinatomanganese(III) in ligating and nonligating solvents

The reaction of HO(-) with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)porphinatomanganese(III) chloride [(TMP)Mn(III)(Cl)] in ligating solvents (CH(3)CN, dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine) results in formation of (TMP)Mn(II) ( approximately 10(6) M(-1).s(-r)), which in a slower reaction is converted to a product whose structure is suggested to be that of a porphyrin manganese(III) peroxo dimer. Admittance of O(2) at any time during these reactions leads to formation of the manganese(III) peroxide (TMP)Mn(III)(O(2))(-). In nonligating solvents [CH(2)Cl(2), (CH(3))(2)CO], the reaction of HO(-) with (TMP)Mn(III)(Cl) yields (TMP)Mn(IV)(OH)(2).

The Acid-Base Properties, Hydrolytic Mechanism, and Susceptibility to O(2) Oxidation of Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4) Clusters

The iron-sulfur cluster compounds Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4) (-2) [where -SR = -SCH(3), -S-C(CH(3))(3), and -S- CH(2)-CH(CH(3))(2)] have been found to represent the base species of weak acids of pK(a) comparable to that of carboxylic acids. The acid species Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4)H(-) is most subject to reaction with O(2) and to acid-catalyzed solvolysis, while the base species Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4) (-2) most readily undergoes ligand exchange. The kinetics for hydrolysis of the isobutyl mercaptide cluster salt has been investigated in detail and a mechanism involving the stepwise process [Formula: see text] has been proposed. The importance of the acid-base equilibria in determining the reactivity of the iron-sulfur clusters and its possible importance as a factor in the determination of the potentials of ferredoxins and high potential iron protein are discussed.

Iron-sulfur clusters II: Kinetics of ligand exchange studied on a water-soluble Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4) cluster

The water-soluble tetranuclear iron-sulfur cluster ion Fe(4)S(4)(SCH(2)CH(2)CO(2) (-))(4) (6-) (II) has been prepared. The stability of II in water is sufficient to allow the spectrotitrimetric determination of the pK(a) of its Fe(4)S(4) core as 7.4. In our hands the one-electron reductions of compounds I [Fe(4)S(4)(SR)(4) (2-), R = alkyl or aryl,] are thermodynamically irreversible with associated E(1/2) values greater than those for one-electron reduction of ferredoxins. In contrast, the one-electron reduction of II is thermodynamically reversible and the associated potential (-0.58 V versus hydrogen electrode) approaches closely that of the ferredoxins. The kinetics for ligand exchange of II as a function of pH and thiol concentration are in accord with four reversible mercaptan/lyate species exchange reactions followed by product formation via specific acid and base catalysis. Preliminary experiments indicate the nucleophilic order towards II to be Cl(-) [unk] Br(-) < HO(-) < CN(-).

On the concept of orbital steering in catalytic reactions

Angular displacement from linear overlap of but a few degrees in the transition state of the enzyme-substrate complex has been postulated to be of great kinetic significance ("orbital steering"). The concept of orbital steering is shown to have evolved from the orientation parameters of an equation previously proposed to evaluate the kinetic importance of propinquity. This equation is shown to be naive. Arguments provided against the concept of orbital steering include: (a) force constants predicted from orbital steering are about 100 times those experimentally determined from displacement of nuclei in a direction normal to the axis of a covalent bond (for example, at room temperature vibrational bending amplitudes of +5 degrees or more are common); (b) because of the lessened directionality of orbitals containing nonbonded electron pairs, the force constants in transition states should be even smaller than in the case of a covalent bond; and (c) molecular orbital calculations predict shallow total energy minima for orbital alignment. The experimental rate data offered as a basis for the concept of orbital steering are shown to find rationalization in the previously observed dependence of DeltaSdouble dagger on kinetic order and the energy requirements for the freezing-out of single bonds in the transition state leading to the formation of medium-size ring compounds from extended ground states. It is concluded that if orbital steering does exist, experimental and theoretical evidence to support this concept have yet to be presented.

Dynamic structures of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH): results of molecular dynamics simulations of HLADH-NAD(+)-PhCH(2)OH, HLADH-NAD(+)-PhCH(2)O(-), and HLADH-NADH-PhCHO

Molecular dynamics simulations of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) have been carried out. The following three states have been studied: HLADH.PhCH(2)OH.NAD(+) (MD1), HLADH.PhCH(2)O(-).NAD(+) (MD2), and HLADH.PhCHO.NADH (MD3). MD1, MD2, and MD3 simulations were carried out on one of the subunits of the dimeric enzyme covered in a 32-A-radius sphere of TIP3P water centered on the active site. The proton produced on ionization of the alcohol when HLADH.PhCH(2)OH.NAD(+) --> HLADH.PhCH(2)O(-).NAD(+) is transferred from the active site to solvent water via a hydrogen bonding network consisting of serine48 hydroxyl, ribose 2'- and 3'-hydroxyl groups, and Hist51. Hydrogen bonding of the 3'OH of ribose to Ile269 carbonyl maintains this proton in position to be transferred to water. Molecular dynamic simulations have been employed to track water1287 from the TIP3 water pool to the active site, thus exhibiting the mode of entrance of water to the active site. With time the water1287 accumulates in two different positions in order to accept the proton from the ribose 3'-OH and from His51. There can be identified two structural substates for proton passage. In the first substate the imidazole Ne2 of His51 is adjacent to the nicotinamide ribose C2'-OH and hydrogen bonding distances for proton transfer through the hydrogen bonded relay series PhCH(2)OH...Ser48-OH...Ribose2'-OH...His51...OH(2) (path 1) average 2.0, 2.0, and 2.1 A and (for His51...OH(2)) minimal distances less or equal to 2.5 A. The structure for path 1 is present 20% of the time span. And in the second substate, there are two possible proton passages: path 1 as before and path 2. Path 2 involves the hydrogen-bonded relay series PhCH(2)OH...Ser48-OH...Ribose2'-OH...Ribose3'-OH...His51.OH(2) with the average bonding distances being 2.0, 2.0, 2.1, and 2.0 A and (for His51...OH(2)) minimal distances less or equal to 2.5 A (20% probability of the time span), respectively. During the molecular dynamics simulation the NAD(+) ribose conformations have stabilized at the C2'-endo-C3'-exo or the C2'-endo conformations. With the C2'-endo conformation the first and second substates are able to persist for different time spans, while with the C2'-endo-C3'-exo conformation the only possible pathway involves the first substate. For both first and second substates the fluctuation of the distances between the ribose-OH protons and N epsilon 2 of His51 imidazole ring is partially contributed by the "windshield wiper" motion of the His51 imidazole ring. Since the imidazole of His-51 contributes only about 10-fold to activity, as estimated from the decrease in activity upon substitution with a Gln, there must be an alternate route for the proton to pass to solvent without going through this histidine. A third pathway involves ribose C3'-OH and Ile-269. In MD2, near attack conformers (NACs) for hydride transfer from PhCH(2)O(-) to NAD(+) represent approximately 60% of E.S conformers. The molecular dynamic study of MD3 at mildly basic pH reveals that reactive ground state conformers (NACs) for hydride transfer from NADH to PhCHO amount to 12 mol % of conformers. In MD3, anisotropic bending of the dihydronicotinamide ring of NADH (average value of alpha(c) = 4.0 degrees and alpha(n) = 0.5 degrees, respectively) is observed.

Diphtheria toxin catalyzed hydrolysis of NAD(+): molecular dynamics study of enzyme-bound substrate, transition state, and inhibitor

The mechanism of the diphtheria toxin-catalyzed hydrolysis of NAD(+) was investigated by quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Several effects that could explain the 6000-fold rate acceleration (Delta Delta G(++) approximately 5 kcal/mol) by the enzyme were considered. First, the carboxamide arm of the enzyme-bound NAD(+) adopts a trans conformation while the most stable conformation is cis. The most stable conformation for the nicotinamide product has the amide carbonyl trans. The activation energy for the cleavage of the ribosidic bond is reduced by 2 kcal/mol due to the relaxation of this ground state conformational stress in the transition state. Second, molecular dynamics simulations to the nanosecond time range revealed that the carboxylate of Glu148 forms a hydrogen bond to the substrate's 2' hydroxyl group in E.S (approximately 17% of the time) and E.TS (approximately 57% of the time) complexes. This interaction is not seen in crystal structures. The ApUp inhibitor is held more tightly by the enzyme than the transition state and the substrate. Analysis of correlated motions reveals differences in the pattern of anticorrelated motions for protein backbone atoms when the transition state occupies the active site as compared to the E.NAD(+) complex.

Incorporation of positively charged deoxynucleic S-methylthiourea linkages into oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Oligodeoxyribonucleic acids (15- and 18-mers) containing both negatively charged phosphate and positively charged S-methyl thiourea internucleoside linkages (DNmt/DNA chimera) have been synthesized. DNA binding characteristics and nuclease resistance of DNmt/DNA chimera have been evaluated.

Inhibition of transcription factor-DNA complexes and gene expression by a microgonotropen

Developing minor groove-binding drugs to selectively inhibit transcription factor (TF)/DNA interactions and accompanying gene expression is a current goal in drug development studies. Equipping minor groove-binding agents with positively charged, major groove-contacting side chains yields microgonotropens (MGTs). Previously, we demonstrated that MGTs were superior inhibitors of TF/DNA complexes in cell-free assays compared with "classical" groove binders, but MGTs showed limited ability to inhibit gene expression. To determine what chemical characteristics contribute to or improve activity, we evaluate five MGTs for their effectiveness in inhibiting TF complex formation and resultant transcription by using the c-fos serum response element (SRE) as a target. MGT L1 binds DNA via a bisbenzimidazole equipped with a tripyrrole moiety. It is compared with analog L2, which has been functionalized with propylamines on each of the three pyrroles. L2, which binds DNA at subpicomolar concentrations, was at least three orders of magnitude more potent than L1 at inhibiting TF binding to the c-fos SRE in cell-free assays. Unlike L1 and previous MGTs, L2 also inhibited endogenous c-fos expression in NIH 3T3 cells at micromolar levels. Structure/activity relationships suggest that, although the tripyrrole/polyamine functional group of L2 may be largely responsible for its inhibition of TF complexes in cell-free assays, its bisbenzimidazole moiety appears to impart improved cellular uptake and activity. These findings make L2 a promising lead candidate for future, rational MGT design.

Double-stranded DNA binding characteristics and subcellular distribution of a minor groove binding diphenyl ether bisbenzimidazole

The interactions of Hoechst 33377 (H1) with 20 different oligomeric duplexes have been investigated via spectrofluorometric titrations and/or thermal denaturation experiments. H1 is shown to form 2:1 complexes with dsDNA binding sites of at least four contiguous A/T base pairs. H1 is also shown to possess the rare ability to meaningfully distinguish between different A.T rich sequences. For example, the combined equilibrium constants for complexation of the oligomeric duplex 5'-GCAATTGC-3' (15) by H1 are found to be 110-fold greater than for the duplex 5'-GCTTAAGC-3' (16). It is believed that the 5'-TpA-3' dinucleotide step in 16 disrupts the rigid "A-tract" conformation of 15 and discourages minor groove binding by agents capable of recognizing longer dsDNA sequences. Molecular models are presented which elucidate the structure of the (H1)(2)-dsDNA minor groove complex. The two H1 molecules bind to an A/T rich sequence of 6 bp in a slightly staggered, side-by-side, and antiparallel arrangement. Evidence suggests that the piperazine rings of the H1 side-by-side complex are capable of resting in the minor groove of G/C base pairs. Fluorescence microscopy studies using NIH3T3 cells indicate that H1 is capable of traversing the cytoplasmic membrane and selectively localizing to nuclear DNA. H1 also demonstrated the ability to inhibit endogenous transcription of the c-fos gene in NIH3T3 cells at micromolar concentrations. Cytotoxicity studies employing the same cell type show H1 to possess an LD(50) of 3.5 microM.

The active site dynamics of 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA dehalogenase

A molecular dynamics study was performed to compare the differences in the active-site dynamics of the wild-type and W137F mutant enzymes of 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA dehalogenase. Only in the wild-type simulation are conformations formed between the catalytic Asp-145 and 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA, which resemble the ab initio calculated gas-phase transition-state geometry. In the W137F simulation, the hydrogen bond formed between His-90 and Asp-145 persisted throughout the simulation, causing the carboxylate of Asp-145 to be distant from the benzoyl ring of 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA. In both simulations, water molecules were able to diffuse into the active site of the enzymes. The trajectories provide insight into the routes that water may use to get into position for the hydrolysis portion of the dehalogenation reaction. In both simulations, the water molecule entering the active site forms a hydrogen bond with Asp-145.

Solid-phase synthesis of oligopurine deoxynucleic guanidine (DNG) and analysis of binding with DNA oligomers

The first stepwise solid-phase synthesis of deoxynucleic guanidine (DNG), a positively charged DNA analog, using controlled pore glass as the solid support is reported. For the first time, purine bases have been incorporated into the DNG oligomer and DNG has been synthesized using a solid-phase method, proceeding in the 3'-->5' direction, that is compatible with the cleavage conditions used in the solid-phase synthesis of DNA. A DNG sequence containing a pentameric tract of adenosine nucleosides has been synthesized and the thermal denaturation temperature of its complexes with complementary thymidyl DNA oligomers was 79 degrees C. Binding of thymidyl DNA oligomers to adenyl DNG oligomers is 2:1, as seen in thymidyl and adenyl DNA triplexes. No binding of adenyl DNG with octameric cytidyl DNA was observed, indicating that the positive charge does not overcome base pairing fidelity.

A theoretical examination of the acid-catalyzed and noncatalyzed ring-opening reaction of an oxirane by nucleophilic addition of acetate. Implications to epoxide hydrolases

Ab initio and density functional calculations have been performed to gain a better understanding of the epoxide ring-opening reaction catalyzed by epoxide hydrolase. The S(N)2 reaction of acetate with 1S,2S-trans-2-methylstyrene oxide to provide the corresponding diol acetate ester was studied with and without general-acid catalysis. MP2 and DFT (B3LYP) calculations predict, for the noncatalyzed reaction, a central barrier of approximately 20-21 kcal/mol separating the reactants from products depending on which carbon center in the epoxide is undergoing attack. From these gas-phase reactions the immediate alkoxide products are not energetically far below their associated transition states such that the reaction is predicted to be endothermic. Inclusion of aqueous solvation effects via a polarizable continuum model predicts the activation barrier to increase by almost 10 kcal/mol due to the solvation of the acetate ion nucleophile. The activation barrier for the epoxide ring-opening reaction is reduced to approximately 10 kcal/mol when phenol, as the general-acid catalyst, is included in the gas-phase calculations. This is due to the immediate product being the neutral ester rather than the corresponding alkoxide. The transition state in the general-acid-catalyzed reaction is earlier than that for the noncatalyzed reaction and the reaction is highly exothermic. Molecular mechanics calculations of 1S,2S-trans-2-methylstyrene oxide in the active site of murine epoxide hydrolase show two possible binding conformations. Both conformers have the epoxide oxygen forming hydrogen bonds with the acidic hydrogens of the catalytic tyrosines (Tyr381 and Tyr465). These two conformations likely lead to different products since the nucleophile (Asp333-CO(2)(-)) is positioned to react with either carbon center in the epoxide.

Recognition of nine base pairs in the minor groove of DNA by a tripyrrole peptide-Hoechst conjugate

A tripyrrole peptide-Hoechst conjugate (FPH-1) has been designed which recognizes nine dA/dT base pair A/T rich dsDNA sequences at subnanomolar concentrations and complexes its targets at near diffusion controlled rates to form a fluorescent product. Spectrofluorometric titrations show the stoichiometry of the complex to be (FPH-1)(2):dsDNA. Spectrofluorometric titrations were also employed to determine the product of the equilibrium constant for complexation (K(1)K(2)) of dsDNA by two FPH-1 molecules for 35 different oligomeric duplexes. Single base pair mismatches in the FPH-1 binding site were found to cause significant decreases in K(1)K(2) of 18- to 2300-fold. Thermal denaturation experiments provided similar results. Arguments are presented which favor the structure of the (FPH-1)(2):dsDNA minor groove complex to involve the two FPH-1 molecules in a slightly staggered, side-by-side, and antiparallel arrangement such that the bis-benzimidazole moiety of one FPH-1 molecule lies adjacent to the tripyrrole moiety of the second FPH-1 molecule.

Catalytic mechanism of quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase: A theoretical and x-ray crystallographic investigation

The catalytic mechanism of the reductive half reaction of the quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) is believed to proceed either through a hemiketal intermediate or by direct transfer of a hydride ion from the substrate methyl group to the cofactor, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ). A crystal structure of the enzyme-substrate complex of a similar quinoprotein, glucose dehydrogenase, has recently been reported that strongly favors the hydride transfer mechanism in that enzyme. A theoretical analysis and an improved refinement of the 1.9-A resolution crystal structure of MDH from Methylophilus methylotrophus W3A1 in the presence of methanol, reported earlier, indicates that the observed tetrahedral configuration of the C-5 atom of PQQ in that study represents the C-5-reduced form of the cofactor and lends support for a hydride transfer mechanism for MDH.

Computational enzymology

Recent advances in computational methods and the availability of fast, affordable computers have made the modeling of enzymatic reactions practical. The remaining challenges include achieving the accuracy level at which thermodynamic parameters and kinetic constants for different substrates, mutant enzymes, or in the presence of allosteric effectors can be predicted quantitatively.

The importance of reactant positioning in enzyme catalysis: a hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics study of a haloalkane dehalogenase

Hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations using Austin Model 1 system-specific parameters were performed to study the S(N)2 displacement reaction of chloride from 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) by nucleophilic attack of the carboxylate of acetate in the gas phase and by Asp-124 in the active site of haloalkane dehalogenase from Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10. The activation barrier for nucleophilic attack of acetate on DCE depends greatly on the reactants having a geometry resembling that in the enzyme or an optimized gas-phase structure. It was found in the gas-phase calculations that the activation barrier is 9 kcal/mol lower when dihedral constraints are used to restrict the carboxylate nucleophile geometry to that in the enzyme relative to the geometries for the reactants without dihedral constraints. The calculated quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics activation barriers for the enzymatic reaction are 16.2 and 19.4 kcal/mol when the geometry of the reactants is in a near attack conformer from molecular dynamics and in a conformer similar to the crystal structure (DCE is gauche), respectively. This haloalkane dehalogenase lowers the activation barrier for dehalogenation of DCE by 2-4 kcal/mol relative to the single point energies of the enzyme's quantum mechanics atoms in the gas phase. S(N)2 displacements of this sort in water are infinitely slower than in the gas phase. The modest lowering of the activation barrier by the enzyme relative to the reaction in the gas phase is consistent with mutation experiments.

Alpha-ketoamides and alpha-ketocarbonyls: conformational analysis and development of all-atom OPLS force field

The molecular structures and barriers for the internal rotation around the OC-CO single bond in four alpha-ketoamides and eight alpha-ketocarbonyls have been determined from the MP3/aug-cc-pVDZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations. Alpha-ketocarbonyls with non-bulky substituents adopt planar conformations with two carbonyl oxygens in s-trans arrangement. The s-cis conformation is significantly less stable due to the electrostatic repulsion between the two carbonyl groups. Primary and secondary alpha-ketoamides are planar when the substituent at the carbonyl carbon is hydrogen or methyl group but tertiary alpha-ketoamides adopt a conformation where the OC-CO unit is significantly bent. Based on current ab initio structural data, a set of OPLS-AA force field parameters has been derived. These parameters can be used for the modeling of a variety of alpha-ketoamide or alpha-ketocarbonyl containing drugs such as novel protease inhibitors or neuroregenerative polyketides.

Solid-phase synthesis of positively charged deoxynucleic guanidine (DNG) modified oligonucleotides containing neutral urea linkages: effect of charge deletions on binding and fidelity

A solid-phase synthesis for a DNA analogue with a mixed guanidinium and urea backbone is reported. This material is nearly identical in structure to deoxynucleic guanidine (DNG) but the neutral urea internucleoside linkages can be used to attenuate the overall positive charge on the oligomer. The opposite charge attraction between urea containing DNG oligomers (DNGUs) and complimentary DNA can be controlled so that the affinity of DNG for DNA does not overwhelm the base-pairing discrimination necessary for specific binding. Octameric DNGU containing between 1 and 3 urea substitutions covered the range between very tight and very weak bonding. Each deletion of a positive charge reduced the thermal denaturation temperature (Tm) by approximately 5 degrees C. Mismatches in the DNA oligomers reduced the Tm values by 3 to 5 degrees C for each of the DNGU oligomers. DNGUs were found to bind in a 2:1 fashion to complimentary DNA in the same manner as DNG.

Synthesis of fluorescent microgonotropens (FMGTs) and their interactions with dsDNA

A new class of microgonotropen compounds (FIMGTs), which fluoresce upon binding to dsDNA, is introduced. The FMGTs consist of a minor groove binding moiety based upon Hoescht 33258 covalently attached to a polyamine chain capable of interacting with the phosphodiester backbone of dsDNA. The interactions of FMGTs with dsDNA were investigated by fluorescence and UV spectroscopy. Several different dsDNA oligomers were studied to determine the effect of binding site sequence on stoichiometric and binding affinity. The FMGTs were found to bind a dsDNA oligomer that contained the sequence 5'-AATTT-3' with FMGT:dsDNA stoichiometrics equal to 2:1 or 3:1. Hoechst 33258 bound the same dsDNA oligomer with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The second and third order equilibrium constants for complexation were determined to be Log(K1K2) = 17.9 M(-2) and Log(K1K2K3) = 26.1 M(-3), respectively, for two of strongest binding FMGTs. From thermal melting experiments deltaTm for Hoechst 33258 was determined to be 10 degrees C while the deltaTm values for FMGTs ranged from 20-26 degrees C indicating the greater stability of the latter.

Solid-phase synthesis of oligomeric deoxynucleic-thiourea (DNT) and deoxynucleic S-methylthiourea (DNmt): a neutral/polycationic analogue of DNA

A solid-phase synthesis for oligomeric DNmt is reported. Synthesis proceeds in 3'-5' direction and involves coupling of a protected 3'-isothiocyanate with the corresponding 5'-amine of the growing oligo chain. The difference in oligomeric thiourea/S-methylthiourea binding to DNA is investigated.

Generation and evaluation of putative neuroregenerative drugs. Part 2: screening virtual libraries of novel polyketides which possess the binding domain of rapamycin

The use of computational methods to direct engineered biosynthesis toward candidates based on the desired properties of the target compounds has been explored. The objective for this study has been the modification of rapamycin in order to eliminate its immunosuppressive activity and retain its neuroregenerative abilities. We have designed analogues of rapamycin which have truncated effector domains but retain the ability to bind to FKBP proteins, which is a prerequisite for the neuroregenerative abilities of the drugs. The procedures described here consist of the screening of large virtual libraries of molecules which retain the binding domain of rapamycin but in which different substitute ketide units replace the effector domain. These methods have provided analogues of rapamycin that cannot retain the immunosuppressive abilities of rapamycin, have a binding affinity to FKBP12 identical to that of rapamycin (by linear interaction energy calculations), and are suitable for synthesis by modified polyketide synthases.

Generation and evaluation of putative neuroregenerative drugs. Part 1: virtual point mutations to the polyketide rapamycin

This paper explores the use of computational methods to direct engineered biosynthesis based on the desired properties of the target compounds. The immunosuppressive properties of rapamycin are a result of the formation of the complex FKBP12-rapamycin-FRAP. Neuroregenerative properties are exhibited by the complex or complexes of rapamycin with FKBP proteins. Our objective has been to design biosynthetically available analogues of rapamycin that bind tightly to FKBP12 but not to FRAP. This has been carried out by successive single ketide deletions from the effector domain of rapamycin. The approach described here has yielded modified rapamycin analogues (RP2 and RP3) as targets for biosynthesis by modified polyketide synthases. RP2 and RP3 have an identical binding affinity (linear interaction energy calculation) to FKBP12 as rapamycin but little or no affinity for binding to FRAP.

Structural properties of hybrid triplex of polycation deoxyribonucleic S-methylthiourea (DNmt) strands with a complementary DNA strand, probed by nanosecond molecular dynamics

The replacement of phosphodiester linkages of the polyanion DNA with S-methylthiourea linkers provides the polycation deoxyribonucleic S-methylthiourea (DNmt). Molecular dynamics studies to 1,220 ps of the hybrid triplex formed from octameric DNmt strands d(Tmt)8 with a complementary DNA oligomer strand d(Ap)8 have been carried out with explicit water solvent and Na+Cl- counterions under periodic boundary conditions using the CHARMM force field and the Ewald summation method. The Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen hydrogen-bonding patterns of the A/T tracts remained intact without any structural restraints for triplex structures throughout the simulation. The duplex portion of the triplex structure equilibrated at a B-DNA conformation in terms of the helical rise and other helical parameters. The dynamic structures of the DNmt x DNA x DNmt triplex were determined by examining histograms from the last 800 ps of the dynamics run. These included the hydrogen-bonding pattern (sequence recognition), three-centered bifurcating occurrences, minor groove width variations, and bending of tracts for the hybrid triplex structures. Together with the Watson-Crick hydrogen-bondings, the strong Hoogsteen hydrogen-bondings, the partially maintained three-centered bifurcatings in the Watson-Crick pair, and the medium-strength three-centered bifurcatings in the Hoogsteen pair suggest that the hybrid triplex is energetically favorable as compared to a duplex with similar base stacking, van der Waals interactions, and helical parameters. This is in agreement with our previously reported thermodynamic study, in which only triplex structures were observed in solution. The bending angle measured between the local axis vectors of the first and last helical axis segments is about 20 degrees for the Watson-Crick portion of the averaged structure. Propeller twist (associated with three-centered hydrogen-bonding) up to -30 degrees, native to DNA AT base pairing, was also observed for the triplex structure. The sugar pseudorotation phase angles and the ring rotation angles for the DNA strand are within the C3'-endo domain and C2'-endo domain for the DNmt strand. Water spines are observed in both minor and major grooves throughout the dynamics run. The molecular dynamics simulations of the structural properties of DNmt x DNA x DNmt hybrid triplex is compared to the DNG x DNA x DNG hybrid triplex (In DNG the -O-(PO2-)-O- linkers in DNA is replaced by -NH-C(=N+H2)-NH-).

Replacement of the phosphorodiester linkages of RNA with guanidinium linkages: the solid-phase synthesis of ribonucleic guanidine

[reaction: see text] Replacement of the negatively charged phosphodiester linkages of RNA with positively charged guanidinium linkages provides the polycationic ribonucleic guanidine (RNG). RNG is anticipated to bind strongly to target DNA/RNA through the specific interactions of nucleobases and the attractive electrostatic interactions of backbones. Preparation of building blocks and the solid-phase synthesis of RNG are reported. Both trimeric and pentameric uridyl RNG have been synthesized.

Theoretical investigation of the [1,2]-sigmatropic hydrogen migration in the mechanism of oxidation of 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA by 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA monooxygenase/reductase

The flavin hydroperoxide at the active site of the mixed-function oxidase 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA monooxygenase/reductase (Azoarcus evansii) transfers an oxygen to the 5-position of the 2-aminobenzoyl-CoA substrate to provide the alkoxide intermediate II(-). Hydrogen migration from C5 to C6 follows this monooxygenation. The nature of the monooxygenation intermediate and plausible competing reactions leading to hydrogen migration have been considered. Ab initio molecular orbital theory has been used to calculate structures and electron distributions in intermediate and transition state structures. Electrostatic potential surface calculations establish that the transition state and product, associated with the C5 to C6 hydrogen transfer, are stabilized by electron distribution to the benzoyl-CoA thioester carbonyl oxygen. This is not so for the transition state and product associated with hydrogen transfer from C5 to C4. The activation energy for the 5, 6-shift is 2.5 kcal/mol lower than that for the 5,4-shift. In addition, the product of the hydrogen 5,6-shift is more stable than is the product of the hydrogen 5,4-shift, by approximately 6 kcal/mol. These results explain why only the shift of hydrogen from C5 to C6 is observed experimentally. Oxygen transfer and hydrogen migration almost coincide in the gas phase (activation energy of approximately 0.6 kcal/mol, equivalent to a single bond vibration). Enzymatic formation of alkoxide II(-) requires its stabilization; thus, the rate constant for its breakdown would be slower than in the gas phase.

Synthesis of a fluorescent microgonotropen (FMGT-1) and its interactions with the dodecamer d(CCGGAATTCCGG)

A new type of microgonotropen that fluoresces upon binding to dsDNA has been synthesized. FMGT-1, an analogue of the minor groove binder Hoechst 33258, is functionalized with a polyamine chain capable of interacting with the phosphate backbone of DNA. Binding studies indicate that FMGT-1 binds more tightly to dsDNA than the parent compound Hoechst 33258.

Active site dynamics of the HhaI methyltransferase: insights from computer simulation

A molecular dynamics study was performed on the DNA methyltransferase M. Hha I in a ternary complex with DNA and AdoMet in solution. Methylation involves addition of the Cys81 sulfhydryl anion to the 6-position of Cyt18, followed by a nucleophilic attack of the resultant carbanion at C5 on the AdoMet methyl group. It was found in this simulation that the distances between the sulfhydryl group (SG) of Cys81 to the C6 of Cyt18 (SG-C6) and methyl carbon (CH3) of AdoMet to the C5 of cytosine (CH3-C5) are dependent on the dihedral angle chi (O4'-C1'-N1-C2) of the nucleotide. When the chi angle of Cyt18 is low (< -80 degrees), the SG-C6 and CH3-C5 distances are large. A high chi angle (> -80 degrees) for the target cytosine residue reduces the distances for both SG-C6 and CH3-C5, and the angles formed between the cytosine ring and AdoMet correspond well to values for the transition state structures formed during methylation of cytosine from ab initio calculations. Two possible proton sources for protonation of N3 of the cytosine residue upon formation of the covalent intermediate were found in the simulation. The protonated amine group of AdoMet could provide a proton via a water bridge, or Arg163 could also be the source of the proton for N3 via a water bridge. The simulation provides insights into how the H5 of cytosine could go from the active site into solvent. Conserved residues Asn304 and Gln82 stabilize a water network within the active site of M. Hha I which provides a route for H5 to diffuse into bulk solvent. An initially distant water molecule was able to diffuse into the active site of the enzyme and replace a position of a crystallographic water molecule in close proximity to the C5 of cytosine. The movement of this water molecule showed that a channel exists between Gln82 and the AdoMet in M. Hha I which allows both water and protons to easily gain access to the active site of the enzyme.

Consequences of breaking the Asp-His hydrogen bond of the catalytic triad: effects on the structure and dynamics of the serine esterase cutinase

The objective of this study has been to investigate the effects on the structure and dynamics that take place with the breaking of the Asp-His hydrogen bond in the catalytic triad Asp175-His188-Ser120 of the serine esterase cutinase in the ground state. Four molecular dynamics simulations were performed on this enzyme in solution. The starting structures in two simulations had the Asp175-His188 hydrogen bond intact, and in two simulations the Asp175-His188 hydrogen bond was broken. Conformations of the residues comprising the catalytic triad are well behaved during both simulations containing the intact Asp175-His188 hydrogen bond. Short contacts of less than 2.6 A were observed in 1.2% of the sampled distances between the carboxylate oxygens of Asp175 and the NE2 of His188. The simulations showed that the active site residues exhibit a great deal of mobility when the Asp175-His188 hydrogen bond is broken. In the two simulations in which the Asp175-His188 hydrogen bond is not present, the final geometries for the residues in the catalytic triad are not in catalytically productive conformations. In both simulations, Asp175 and His188 are more than 6 A apart in the final structure from dynamics, and the side chains of Ser120 and Asp175 are in closer proximity to the NE2 of His188 than to ND1. Nonlocal effects on the structure of cutinase were observed. A loop formed by residues 26-31, which is on the opposite end of the protein relative to the active site, was greatly affected. Further changes in the dynamics of cutinase were determined from quasiharmonic mode analysis. The frequency of the second lowest mode was greatly reduced when the Asp175-His188 hydrogen bond was broken, and several higher modes showed lower frequencies. All four simulations showed that the oxyanion hole, composed of residues Ser42 and Gln121, is stable. Only one of the hydrogen bonds (Ser42 OG to Gln121 NE2) observed in the crystal structure that stabilize the conformation of Ser42 OG persisted throughout the simulations. This hydrogen bond appears to be enough for the oxyanion hole to retain its structural integrity.

Triple-helix formation of DNA oligomers with methylthiourea-linked nucleosides (DNmt): a kinetic and thermodynamic analysis

Complementary short-strand DNA homooligomers and methylthiourea-linked homonucleosides associate and form triplexes in solution. The melting temperatures, Tm, the association and dissociation kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, and activation energies were determined by UV thermal analysis for the triplexes of short-strand DNA homooligomers [d(pA)10-d(pA)23] and poly(dA) with the methylthiourea-linked nucleoside [5'-NH3+-d(Tmt)4-T-OH [DNmt5]]. Circular dichroism studies show evidence of triple-helical association dependent on the length of the target homooligomer. The melting and cooling curves exhibit hysteresis behavior in the temperature range of 10-95 degrees C at 0.13 deg/min thermal rate. From these curves, the rate constants and the energies of activation for association (kon, Eon) and dissociation (koff, Eoff) were obtained. Tm decreases with the ionic strength and increases with increase in length of the monomers. The rate constants kon and koff at a given temperature (288 K-310 K) are dependent on the DNA strand length and also decrease and increase respectively with the ionic strength. The energies of activation for the association and dissociation processes are in the range of -18 to -38 kcal/mol and 3 to 18 kcal/mol, respectively. The equilibrium constant for the formation of the triplexes [5'-NH3+-d(Tmt)4-T-OH)2.d(pA)x, x = 10-23] is several orders of magnitude greater when compared with the triplexes of DNA. The number of base triplets in the nucleus of the DNmt2.DNA triple-helix (nucleation-zipping model) increases with decreased DNA oligomer length and with increased ionic strength. The values of DeltaH degrees calculated from the activation parameters are between -30 and -50 kcal/(mol base) and the values of DeltaG degrees are between -6 and -11 kcal/(mol base) for short-strand DNA.

On the electronic nature of low-barrier hydrogen bonds in enzymatic reactions

The electronic nature of low-barrier hydrogen bonds (LBHBs) in enzymatic reactions is discussed based on combined low temperature neutron and x-ray diffraction experiments and on high level ab initio calculations by using the model substrate benzoylacetone. This molecule has a LBHB, as the intramolecular hydrogen bond is described by a double-well potential with a small barrier for hydrogen transfer. From an "atoms in molecules" analysis of the electron density, it is found that the hydrogen atom is stabilized by covalent bonds to both oxygens. Large atomic partial charges on the hydrogen-bonded atoms are found experimentally and theoretically. Therefore, the hydrogen bond gains stabilization from both covalency and from the normal electrostatic interactions found for long, weak hydrogen bonds. Based on comparisons with other systems having short-strong hydrogen bonds or LBHBs, it is proposed that all short-strong and LBHB systems possess similar electronic features of the hydrogen-bonded region, namely polar covalent bonds between the hydrogen atom and both heteroatoms in question.

Synthesis, biophysical properties, and nuclease resistance properties of mixed backbone oligodeoxynucleotides containing cationic internucleoside guanidinium linkages: deoxynucleic guanidine/DNA chimeras

The synthesis of mixed backbone oligodeoxynucleotides (18-mers) consisting of positively charged guanidinium linkages along with negatively charged phosphodiester linkages is carried out. The use of a base labile-protecting group for guanidinium linkage offers a synthetic strategy similar to standard oligonucleotide synthesis. The nuclease resistance of the oligodeoxyribonucleotides capped with guanidinium linkages at 5' and 3' ends are reported. The hybridization properties and sequence specificity of binding of these deoxynucleic guanidine/DNA chimeras with complementary DNA or RNA are described.

Molecular dynamics study displays near in-line attack conformations in the hammerhead ribozyme self-cleavage reaction

We have performed molecular dynamics (MD) calculations by using one of the recently solved crystal structures of a hammerhead ribozyme. By rotating the alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta torsion angles of the phosphate linkage of residue 17, the nucleobase at the cleavage site was slightly rotated out of the active site toward the solution. Unconstrained MD simulations exceeding 1 ns were performed on this starting structure solvated in water with explicit counter ions and two Mg2+ ions at the active site. Our results reveal that near attack conformations consistently were formed in the simulation. These near attack conformations are characterized by assumption of the 2'-hydroxyl to a near in-line position for attack on the -O-(PO2-)-O- phosphorous. Also during the time course of the MD study, one Mg2+ moved immediately to associate with a pro-R phosphate oxygen in the conserved core region, and the second Mg2+ remained associated with the pro-R oxygen on the phosphate linkage undergoing hydrolysis. These results are in accord with a one-metal ion mechanism of catalysis and give insight into the possible roles of many of the conserved residues in the ribozyme.

Synthesis of protected guanidinium linked dinucleoside incorporable into an oligonucleotide using solid phase DNA methodology

The synthesis of novel fully protected guanidinium linked dinucleoside for incorporation into oligonucleotide using solid-phase DNA synthesis methodology was developed. The three different protecting groups selected allow different deprotection conditions.

Solid-phase synthesis of oligomeric deoxynucleic guanidine (DNG): a polycationic analogue of DNA

DNG is a DNA analogue wherein the negatively charged phosphate backbone linkages have been replaced by achiral positively charged guanidinium linkages and has high affinity for complimentary DNA. The synthesis of these compounds in solution phase has been severely limited due to diminishing yields and solubility limitations. For the first time, an efficient solid-phase synthesis for oligomeric is reported.

Role of a critical water in scytalone dehydratase-catalyzed reaction

Scytalone dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.94) catalyzes the dehydration of two important intermediates in the biosynthesis of melanin, and it functions without metal ions or any cofactors. Using molecular orbital theory, we have examined the role of a critical water molecule in the mechanism of scytalone dehydratase. The water, together with an internal hydrogen bonding, contributes significantly to the stabilization of the transition state (or the enolate intermediate). The role of two active site tyrosines (Tyr-50 and Tyr-30) is (i) to hold the critical water in place so that it may stabilize the transition state without much structural rearrangement during the catalytic reaction, and (ii) to polarize the water, making it a better general acid. The stereochemistry of the scytalone dehydratase-catalyzed dehydration is also discussed.

Conformation of coenzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone and role of Ca2+ in the catalytic mechanism of quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase

The ab initio structures of 2,7,9-tricarboxypyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), semiquinone (PQQH), and dihydroquinone (PQQH2) have been determined and compared with ab initio structures of the (PQQ)Ca2+, (PQQH)Ca2+, and (PQQH2)Ca2+ complexes as well as the x-ray structure of (PQQ)Ca2+ bound at the active site of the methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) of methyltropic bacteria. Plausible mechanisms for the MDH oxidation of methanol involving the (PQQ)Ca2+ complex are explored via ab initio computations and discussed. Considering the reaction of methanol with PQQ in the absence of Ca2+, nucleophilic addition of methanol to the PQQ C-5 carbonyl followed by a retro-ene elimination is deemed unlikely due to large energy barrier. A much more favorable disposition of the methanol C-5 adduct to provide formaldehyde involves proton ionization of the intermediate followed by elimination of methoxide concerted with hydride transfer to the oxygen of the C-4 carbonyl. Much the same transition state is reached if one searches for the transition state beginning with Asp-303-CO2-general-base removal of the methanol proton of the (PQQ)Ca2+O(H)CH3 complex concerted with hydride transfer to the oxygen at C-4. For such a mechanism the role of the Ca2+ moiety would be to (i) contribute to the formation of the ES complex (ii) provide a modest decrease in the pKa of methanol substrate,; and (iii) polarize the oxygen at C-5.

Non-enzymatic and enzymatic hydrolysis of alkyl halides: a haloalkane dehalogenation enzyme evolved to stabilize the gas-phase transition state of an SN2 displacement reaction

The semiempirical PM3 method, calibrated against ab initio HF/6-31+G(d) theory, has been used to elucidate the reaction of 1, 2-dichloroethane (DCE) with the carboxylate of Asp-124 at the active site of haloalkane dehalogenase of Xanthobacter autothropicus. Asp-124 and 13 other amino acid side chains that make up the active site cavity (Glu-56, Trp-125, Phe-128, Phe-172, Trp-175, Leu-179, Val-219, Phe-222, Pro-223, Val-226, Leu-262, Leu-263, and His-289) were included in the calculations. The three most significant observations of the present study are that: (i) the DCE substrate and Asp-124 carboxylate, in the reactive ES complex, are present as an ion-molecule complex with a structure similar to that seen in the gas-phase reaction of AcO- with DCE; (ii) the structures of the transition states in the gas-phase and enzymatic reaction are much the same where the structure formed at the active site is somewhat exploded; and (iii) the enthalpies in going from ground states to transition states in the enzymatic and gas-phase reactions differ by only a couple kcal/mol. The dehalogenase derives its catalytic power from: (i) bringing the electrophile and nucleophile together in a low-dielectric environment in an orientation that allows the reaction to occur without much structural reorganization; (ii) desolvation; and (iii) stabilizing the leaving chloride anion by Trp-125 and Trp-175 through hydrogen bonding.

Fidelity of binding of the guanidinium nucleic acid (DNG) d(Tg)4-T-azido with short strand DNA oligomers (A5G3A5, GA4G3A4G, G2A3G3A3G2, G2A2G5A2G2). A kinetic and thermodynamic study

Short strand DNA oligomers (A5G3A5, GA4G3A4G, G2A3G3A3G2, and G2A2G5A2G2) and the guanidinium (g) linked thymidyl nucleoside d(Tg)4-T-azido associate as triplexes. The melting temperatures, Tm, the association and dissociation kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and activation energies for the triplexes were determined by UV thermal analysis. The hypochromic shift and Tm for triplex formation increases with increase in concentration and decreases with the number of mismatches. The melting temperatures are between 35 and 55 degrees C in the range of ionic strength of 0.06-0.24 and decrease with increase in ionic strength at 100 deg/(ionic strength unit). The melting and cooling curves exhibit hysteresis behavior in the temperature range 5-95 degrees C at 0.2 deg/min thermal rate. From these curves, the rate constants and the energies of activation for association (k(on), E(on)) and dissociation (k(off), E(off)) processes were obtained. The second-order rate constants, k(on), for the triplex formation at 288 K are between 10 and 500 M(-2) s(-1). Values of k(on) increase with the decrease in the ionic strength. The first order rate constants for the dissociation, k(off), at 288 K are between 10(-6) and 40 x 10(-6) s(-1) and increase with increase in ionic strength. The energies of activation for the association and dissociation processes are in the range -22 to -9 kcal/mol and 8 to 29 kcal/mol, respectively. At 6.3 x 10(-5) M/base and at the physiological ionic strength (0.15-0.30) and below, the triplex structures formed with d(Tg)4-T-azido and A5G3A5 and GA4G3A4G have well-defined Tm values. The melting curves with G2A3G3A3G2 and G2A2G5A2G2 are very shallow with small hypochromic shifts denoting negligible binding at physiological ionic strength. Therefore, with the increase in the G content (mismatched base pairs) at a certain concentration (e.g., 6.3 x 10(-5) M/base), discrimination (change in fidelity) occurs in the formation and strength of binding of d(Tg)4-T-azido to d(pAn pGm) oligomers. The standard molar enthalpies for triplex formation have in general larger negative values at low ionic strength than at high ionic strength, indicating that at lower mu values the formation of triplexes of d(Tg)4-T-azido with d(pAn pGm) are more favorable. The values of deltaH(standard)(288) calculated from the activation parameters are between -17 and -49 kcal/mol, and the values of deltaG(standard)(288) are between -7.5 and -11.8 kcal/mol for A5G3A5, GA4G3A4G, G2A3G3A3G2, and G2A2G5A2G2, respectively. There is a linear relationship in the enthalpy-entropy compensation for the triplex melting thermodynamics.

Nonenzymatic and enzymatic hydrolysis of alkyl halides: a theoretical study of the SN2 reactions of acetate and hydroxide ions with alkyl chlorides

The SN2 displacements of chloride ion from CH3Cl, C2H5Cl, and C2H4Cl2 by acetate and hydroxide ions have been investigated, using ab initio molecular orbital theory at the HF/6-31+G(d), MP2/6-31+G(d), and MP4/6-31+G(d) levels of theory. The central barriers (calculated from the initial ion-molecule complex) of the reactions, the differences of the overall reaction energies, and the geometries of the transition states are compared. Essential stereochemical changes before and after the displacement reactions are described for selected cases. The gas phase reactions of hydroxide with CH3Cl, C2H5Cl, and C2H4Cl2 have no overall barrier, but there is a small overall barrier for the reactions of acetate with CH3Cl, C2H5Cl, and C2H4Cl2. A self-consistent reaction field solvation model was used to examine the SN2 reactions between methyl chloride and hydroxide ion and between 1,2-dichloroethane and acetate in solution. As expected, the reactions in polar solvent have a large barrier. However, the transition state structures determined by ab initio calculations change only slightly in the presence of a highly polar solvent as compared with the gas phase. We also calibrated the PM3 method for future study of an enzymatic SN2 displacement of halogen.

Is strong hydrogen bonding in the transition state enough to account for the observed rate acceleration in a mutant of papain?

Nitriles are good inhibitors for the cysteine protease papain. However, a single amino acid mutation (Gln-19 --> Glu-19) in the active site makes the mutant enzyme a good catalyst for nitrile hydrolysis. A theoretical approach was used to examine the differential transition state stabilization in the papain mutant relative to the wild-type enzyme. Based on this study, we concluded that strong hydrogen bonding in the transition state is responsible for the observed rate enhancement of 4 x 10(5).

A microgonotropen branched decaaza decabutylamine and its DNA and DNA/transcription factor interactions

The central pyrrole of a site-selective DNA minor groove binding tripyrrole peptide 1 has been attached to a branched decaaza decabutylamine via a -(CH-2)3-NHCO-(CH2)-3 linker to provide the decaaza-microgonotropen (8). The decaaza decabutylamine moiety of 8 was designed to have a much greater affinity to the phosphodiester linkages of the backbone of DNA. Employing Hoechst 33258 (Ht) as a fluorescent titrant, the equilibrium constants for the binding for of 8 to the hexadecameric duplex d(GGCGCA3T3GGCGG)/d(CCGCCA3T3GCGCC) and to calf thymus DNA were determined. The log of the product of equilibrium constants (log Kl1Kl2) for 1:1 and 1:2 complexes formation at A3T3 is 17 (35 degrees C). Results of studies of the inhibition of the binding of several proteins to target DNA are discussed. Binding of the E2F1 transcription factor to its DNA target is 50% inhibited at approximately 2 nM concentration of 8.

Targeting E2F1-DNA complexes with microgonotropen DNA binding agents

Microgonotropen (MGT) DNA binding drugs, which consist of an A+T-selective DNA minor groove binding tripyrrole peptide and polyamine chains attached to a central pyrrole that extend drug contact into the DNA major groove, were found to be extraordinarily effective inhibitors of E2 factor 1 (E2F1) association with its DNA promoter element (5'-TTTCGCGCCAAA). The most active of these drugs, MGT-6a, was three orders of magnitude more effective than distamycin and inhibited complexes between E2F1 and the dihydrofolate reductase promoter by 50% at 0.00085 microM. A relationship was found between the measured equilibrium constants for binding of MGTs to the A+T region of d(GGCGA3T3GGC)/d(CCGCT3A3CCG) and their inhibition of complex formation between E2F1 and the DNA promoter element. A representative of the potent MGT inhibitors was significantly more active on inhibition of E2F1-DNA complex formation compared with disruption of a preexisting complex.

Mechanism of aldehyde oxidation catalyzed by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase

The mechanism of oxidation of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid catalyzed by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) has been investigated using the HLADH structure at 2.1 A resolution with NAD+ and pentafluorobenzyl alcohol in the active site [Ramaswamy et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33,5230-5237]. Constructs for molecular dynamics (MD) investigations with HLADH were obtained by a best-fit superimposition of benzaldehyde or its hydrate on the pentafluorobenzyl alcohol bound to the active site Zn(II)ion. Equilibrium bond lengths, angles, and dihedral parameters for Zn(II) bonding residues His67, Cys46, and Cys174 were obtained from small-molecule X-ray crystal structures and an ab initio-derived parameterization of zinc in HLADH [Ryde, U. (1995) Proteins: Struct., Funct., Genet. 21,40-56]. Dynamic simulations in CHARMM were carried out on the following three constructs to 100 ps: (MD1) enzyme with NAD+, benzaldehyde, and zinc-ligated HO-in the active site; (MD2) enzyme with NAD+ and hydrated benzaldehyde monoanion bound to zinc via the pro-R oxygen, with a proton residing on the pro-S oxygen; and (MD3) enzyme with NAD+ and hydrated benzaldehyde monoanion bound to zinc via the pro-S oxygen, with a proton residing on the pro-R oxygen. Analyses were done of 800 sample conformations taken in the last 40 ps of dynamics. Structures from MD1 and MD3 were used to define the initial spatial arrangements of reactive functionalities for semiempirical PM3 calculations. Using PM3, model systems were calculated of ground states and some transition states for aldehyde hydration, hydride transfer, and subsequent proton shuttling. With benzaldehyde and zinc-bound hydroxide ion in the active site, the oxygen of Zn(II)-OH resided at a distance of 2.8-5.5 A from the aldehyde carbonyl carbon during the dynamics simulation. This may be compared to the PM3 transition state for attack of the Zn(II)-OH oxygen on the benzaldehyde carbonyl carbon, which has an O...C distance of 1.877 A. HLADH catalysis of the aldehyde hydration would require very little motion aside from that in the ground state. Two simulations of benzaldehyde hydrate ligated to zinc (MD2 and MD3) both showed close approach of the aldehyde hydrate hydrogen to NAD+C4, varying from 2.3 to 3.3 A, seemingly favorable for the hydride transfer reaction. The MD2 configuration does not allow proton shuttling. On the other hand, when the pro-S oxygen is ligated to zinc (MD3), the proton on the pro-R oxygen averages 2.09 A from the hydroxyl oxygen of Ser48 such that initiation of shuttling of protons via Ser48 to the ribose 2'-hydroxyl oxygen to the 3'-hydroxyl oxygen to His51 nitrogen is sterically favorable. PM3 calculations suggest that this proton shuttle represents a stepwise reaction which occurs subsequent to hydride transfer. The PM3 transition state for hydride transfer based on the MD3 configuration has the transferring hydride 1.476 A from C4 of NAD+ and 1.433 A from the aldehyde alpha-carbon.

Molecular mechanics calculations of the riboacetal internucleotide linkage in double and triple helices

Structures of Watson-Crick base paired 15-nucleobase oligomer strands in A-type or B-type conformation in which one strand [a strand of alternating nucleotide and riboacetal thymidine nucleoside (RT) units, RP] is DNA and the other is composed of alternating nucleotides and riboacetal nucleosides have been studied by molecular mechanics. Analogously, oligomer strands of RNA in place of DNA have been modeled. The calculations indicate that the RP strand is more stable when complexed in an A-type duplex relative to a B-type form and that this conformational preference is presumably due to the more uniform nature of the former. Nearly planar ribose rings were more commonly observed in the minimized structures of the B-type DNA.RP duplexes as compared with A-type duplexes, despite the fact that planar ribofuranose rings are known to be energetically unfavorable in oligonucleotides. Computed relative stabilities of all duplexes containing the RP strand suggest that such heteroduplexes are less stable than the corresponding double-stranded DNA and double-stranded RNA species. These findings are in agreement with experimental results which show, when equivalent sequences were compared, that a DNA.RNA control forms a more stable duplex than RP hound to a complementary single-stranded RNA strand. In contrast, molecular mechanics studies of complementary triple-helical (DNA)2.RP, (DNA)2.DNA, and (DNA)2.RNA structures indicate that the binding of RP as a Hoogsteen strand stabilizes the underlying duplex to a greater extent compared with native oligonucleotides. These calculations suggest that puckering of the ribose ring in the riboacetal linkage leads to a more favorable interaction with a complementary nucleic acid target than the proposed planar geometry and that this puckering may account for the enhanced binding of RP to a double-stranded target.