We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Cations as hydrogen bond donors: a view of electrostatic interactions in DNA.
- Authors
Subirana, Juan A; Soler-Lopez, Montserrat
- Abstract
Cations are bound to nucleic acids in a solvated state. High-resolution X-ray diffraction studies of oligonucleotides provide a detailed view of Mg2+, and occasionally other ions bound to DNA. In a survey of several such structures, certain general observations emerge. First, cations bind preferentially to the guanine base in the major groove or to phosphate group oxygen atoms. Second, cations interact with DNA most frequently via water molecules in their primary solvation shell, direct ion-DNA contacts being only rarely observed. Thus, the solvated ions should be viewed as hydrogen bond donors in addition to point charges. Finally, ion interaction sites are readily exchangeable: The same site may be occupied by any ion, including spermine, as well as by a water molecule.
- Publication
Annual review of biophysics and biomolecular structure, 2003, Vol 32, p27
- ISSN
1056-8700
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1146/annurev.biophys.32.110601.141726