Abstract
FROM an analysis of X-ray diffraction data on modified bases of transfer RNA (tRNA) and their ribonucleosides, we have established that these molecules can be made to undergo, by suitable changes in PH, a reversible flip–flop conformational change from one stable state to another across a high potential barrier. We have also shown that positive charges adjacent to C–H bonds in the heterocyclic ring of nucleic acid bases polarise these bonds and enable them to take part in strong hydrogen bonds to appropriate acceptors.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hall, R. H., The Modified Nucleosides in Nucleic Acids (Columbia University, New York, 1971).
Schweizer, M. P., McGrath, K., and Baczynskyj, L., Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun., 40, 1046–1052 (1970).
Parthasarathy, R., Ohrt, J. M., and Chheda, G. B., Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun., 57, 649–653 (1974).
Parthasarathy, R., Ohrt, J. M., and Chheda, G. B., J. Am. chem. Soc., 96, 8087–8094 (1974).
Parthasarathy, R., Ohrt, J. M., and Chheda, G. B., Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun., 60, 211–218 (1974).
Albert, A., Synthetic Procedures in Nucleic Acid Chemistry, 2 (edit. by Zorbach, W. W., and Tipson, R. S.), (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1973).
Kistenmacher, T. J., and Shigematsu, T., Acta Crystallogr., B 30, 166–168 (1974).
Sundaralingam, M., Acta Crystallogr., 21, 495–506 (1966).
Sternglanz, H., and Bugg, C. E., Science, 182, 833–834 (1973).
Gulland, J. M., Jordan, D. O., and Taylor, H. F. W., J. chem. Soc., 1131–1141 (1947).
Rao, S. T., and Sundaralingam, M., J. Am. chem. Soc., 92, 4963–4970 (1970).
Parthasarathy, R., Acta Crystallogr., B 25, 509–518 (1969).
Koetzle, T. F., Hamilton, W. C., and Parthasarathy, R., Acta Crystallogr., B 28, 2083–2090 (1972).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
PARTHASARATHY, R., SORIANO-GARCIA, M. & CHHEDA, G. Bifurcated hydrogen bonds and flip—flop conformation in a modified nucleic acid base, gc6Ade. Nature 260, 807–808 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/260807a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/260807a0
This article is cited by
-
A possible role of fluctuating clay-water systems in the production of ordered prebiotic oligomers
Journal of Molecular Evolution (1980)
-
‘Sandwiched’ water molecule between pyrimidine bases and intra-molecular C–H…O hydrogen bonding in 5-nitro-l-(β-D-ribosyluronic acid)-uracil monohydrate
Nature (1976)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
