No abstract

The present work characterizes the gas-phase stacking interactions between four aromatic amino acid residues (histidine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan) and adenine or 3-methyladenine due to the proposed utilization of these interactions by enzymes that repair DNA alkylation damage. The MP2 potential energy surfaces of the stacked dimers are considered as a function of four variables (vertical displacement, angle of rotation, horizontal displacement, and tilt angle) using a variety of basis sets. It is found that the maximum stacking interaction energy decreases with the amino acid according to TRP > TYR approximately HIS > PHE for both nucleobases. However, the magnitude of the stacking interaction significantly increases upon alkylation (by 50-115%). Comparison of the stacking energies calculated using our surface scans to those estimated from experimental crystal structures indicates that the stacking interactions within the active site of 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase can account for 65-75% of the maximum possible stacking interaction between the relevant molecules. The decrease in stacking in the crystal structure arises due to significant differences in the relative orientations of the nucleobase and amino acid. Nevertheless, alkylation is found to significantly increase the stacking energy when the crystal structure geometries are considered. Our calculations provide computational support for suggestions that alkylation enhances the stacking interactions within the active site of DNA repair enzymes, and they give a measure of the magnitude of this enhancement. Our results suggest that alkylation likely plays a more important role in substrate identification and removal than the nature of the aromatic amino acid that interacts with the substrate via stacking interactions.

Monodentate phosphoramidite ligands are used to accelerate the copper(i)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and alkynes (CuAAC) rapidly yielding a wide variety of functionalized 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles; Cu(i) and Cu(ii) salts both function as the copper source in aqueous solution to provide excellent yields.

Click for PET: The GRP‐receptor‐specific peptide bombesin, which is often used for nuclear imaging of tumors, can be labeled with 18F in a mild and rapid manner by using a copper‐free azide–alkyne “click” reaction. A range of azides can be used to provide peptides with different hydrophobicities. The resulting 18F radiopharmaceutical tracers (see scheme) maintain their high affinity for the targeted receptor in vitro in human prostate cancer cells.