ISSN:
0020-7608
Keywords:
Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modeling
;
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
This paper summarizes our findings on the effects of protons and neutral salt ions on intermolecular interactions and the self-organization of nucleotide systems in aqueous media, both at monomer and polymer levels. To gain quantitative information about these processes, methods were developed to determine the thermodynamic parameters of monomer association from the data obtained by various experimental techniques (NMR, UV spectroscopy, and spin labeling) and to estimate the individual contributions of base stacking and H-bonding in ordered structures of polynucleotides and their complexes. The main results obtained using these methods are as follows. (i) A difference was discovered in the effects of positive and negative charges on the stacking interaction between ionized and neutral molecules of nucleic heterocycles. Protonation strongly decreases the heterocycle ability to form ordered stacks whereas deprotonation slightly affects stacking. (ii) Base-phosphate interaction, which has not yet really been investigated, was studied. This interaction, along with base stacking, governs nucleotide association in water media. It appears upon protonation of the base moiety and increases with decreasing ionic strength. (iii) Base stacking was found to become stronger under the action of salt anions stabilizing the water structure and it became weaker under the action of destabilizing salt anions, both in monomer and polymer systems, which is indicative of an indirect mechanism of the anionic effects. It is essential that small salt ion additives acting by such a “distance” mechanism can affect the formation of ordered structures in nucleotide systems as strong as the direct interaction of the bases with protons. (iv) The results obtained suggest that an increase in solvent entropy upon the self-organization of nucleotide systems in aqueous media may be an important factor promoting these processes. (v) As follows from our data, specific weakening or strengthening of intermolecular interactions by protons and salt ions at small, physiological-range changes in pH or solvent salt composition seems to be an effective regulatory mechanism for the functioning of nucleotide systems.
Additional Material:
8 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/qua.560170217
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