Altering the electrostatic potential in the major groove: thermodynamic and structural characterization of 7-deaza-2'-deoxyadenosine:dT base pairing in DNA.

ABSTRACT: As part of an ongoing effort to explore the effect of major groove electrostatics on the thermodynamic stability and structure of DNA, a 7-deaza-2'-deoxyadenosine:dT (7-deaza-dA:dT) base pair in the Dickerson-Drew dodecamer (DDD) was studied. The removal of the electronegative N7 atom on dA and the replacement with an electropositive C-H in the major groove was expected to have a significant effect on major groove electrostatics. The structure of the 7-deaza-dA:dT base pair was determined at 1.1 Å resolution in the presence of Mg(2+). The 7-deaza-dA, which is isosteric for dA, had minimal effect on the base pairing geometry and the conformation of the DDD in the crystalline state. There was no major groove cation association with the 7-deaza-dA heterocycle. In solution, circular dichroism

SUBMITTER: Kowal EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3225014 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature