Structural highlights
Publication Abstract from PubMed
The X-ray structure of a self-complementary PNA hexamer (H-CGTACG-L-Lys-NH(2)) has been determined to 2.35 A resolution. The introduction of an L-lysine moiety has previously been shown to induce a preferred left-handedness of the PNA double helices in aqueous solution. However, in the crystal structure an equal amount of interchanging right- and left-handed helices is observed. The lysine moieties are pointing into large solvent channels and no significant interactions between this moiety and the remaining PNA molecule are observed. In contrast, molecular mechanics calculations show a preference for the left-handed helix of this hexameric PNA in aqueous solution as expected. The calculations indicate that the difference in the free energy of solvation between the left-handed and the right-handed helix is the determining factor for the preference of the left-handed helix in aqueous solution.
The influence of a chiral amino acid on the helical handedness of PNA in solution and in crystals.,Rasmussen H, Liljefors T, Petersson B, Nielsen PE, Liljefors T, Kastrup JS J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2004 Feb;21(4):495-502. PMID:14692794[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Rasmussen H, Liljefors T, Petersson B, Nielsen PE, Liljefors T, Kastrup JS. The influence of a chiral amino acid on the helical handedness of PNA in solution and in crystals. J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2004 Feb;21(4):495-502. PMID:14692794
