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:
Aminoacyladenylates play a central part in both protein enzymatic and polypeptide prebiotic synthesis. Previous general studies on aminoacyladenylate conformations were extended to some aspects related to polypeptide prebiotic synthesis. Major conclusions drawn from these quantum mechanical PCILO calculations are: (1) In the presence of an ammonium group the glycylphosphate system forms a double seven-membered ring. This folded conformation possesses an important rigidity. This occurs in neutral or acidic solutions. It agrees with experimental observations showing that there is no polymerization in this case, in the absence of catalyst. Thus the catalytic part of montmorillonite clays, which can break the ring by compensation of the anionic and cationic charges, can be understood. (2) When the amine group remains in its neutral form (in basic solutions), numerous stereo structures are allowed for the glycylphosphate stem, among which a ring of weak stability. This is still in good agreement with the observation of polycondensation at high pH without catalyst. (3) The phosphate linking system is flexible enough to allow the extension of the polypeptide chain between the clay layers. This is in accordance with the mechanism proposed by Paecht-Horowitz in which the phosphate is locked on the edge of the montmorillonite sheet.
Additional Material:
8 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/qua.560200712
