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Theoretical studies of d(A:T)-based parallel-stranded DNA duplexes

Posted June 8th, 2010 by pschmidtke
TitleTheoretical studies of d(A:T)-based parallel-stranded DNA duplexes
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsCubero, E, Luque FJ, Orozco M
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume123
Issue48
Pagination12018 - 12025
Date Published2001/12/05/
KeywordsDNA/chemistry; Models, Molecular; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Poly dA-dT/chemistry
AbstractPoly d(A:T) parallel-stranded DNA duplexes based on the Hoogsteen and reverse Watson-Crick hydrogen bond pairing are studied by means of extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics coupled to Poisson-Boltzmann (MM-PB/SA) calculations. The structural, flexibility, and reactivity characteristics of Hoogsteen and reverse Watson-Crick parallel duplexes are described from the analysis of the trajectories. Theoretical calculations show that the two parallel duplexes are less stable than the antiparallel Watson-Crick duplex. The difference in stability between antiparallel and parallel duplexes increases steadily as the length of the duplex increases. The reverse Watson-Crick arrangement is slightly more stable than the Hoogsteen duplex, the difference being also increased linearly with the length of the duplex. A subtle balance of intramolecular and solvation terms is responsible for the preference of a given helical structure.