Base pairs with 5-chloroorotic acid and comparison with the natural nucleobase. Structural and spectroscopic study, and three suggested antiviral modified nucleosides.

A structural and spectroscopic study of 5-chloroorotic acid (5-ClOA) biomolecule was carried out by IR and FT-Raman and the results obtained were compared to those achieved in 5-fluoroorotic acid and 5-aminoorotic acid compounds. The structures of all possible tautomeric forms were determined using DFT and MP2 methods. To know the tautomer form present in the solid state, the crystal unit cell was optimized through dimer and tetramer forms in several tautomeric forms. The keto form was confirmed through an accurate assignment of all the bands. For this purpose, an additional improvement in the theoretical spectra was carried out using linear scaling equations (LSE) and polynomic equations (PSE) deduced from uracil molecule. Base pairs with uracil, thymine and cytosine nucleobases were optimized and compared to the natural Watson-Crick (WC) pairs. The counterpoise (CP) corrected interaction energies of the base pairs were also calculated. Three nucleosides were optimized based on 5-ClOA as nucleobase, and their corresponding WC pairs with adenosine. These modified nucleosides were inserted in DNA:DNA and RNA:RNA microhelices, which were optimized. The position of the -COOH group in the uracil ring of these microhelices interrupts the DNA/RNA helix formation. Because of the special characteristic of these molecules they can be used as antiviral drugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Base pairs with 4-amino-3-nitrobenzonitrile: comparison with the natural WC pairs. Dimer and tetramer forms, Infrared and Raman spectra, and several proposed antiviral modified nucleosides.

Base pairs of 4-amino-3-nitrobenzonitrile (4A-3NBN) molecule with uracil, thymine and cytosine nucleobases were optimized and compared to natural Watson-Crick (WC) pairs. The slightly greater flexibility of the -NO2 group of 4A-3NBN than the N3-H group of the natural nucleobases together with a noticeable higher dipole moment of its pairs can facilitate disruption of the DNA/RNA helix formation. Several new mutagenic modified nucleosides with 4A-3NBN and 3-amino-2-nitrobenzonitrile (3A-2NBN) were proposed as antiviral prodrugs and their base pairs optimized. The special characteristics of these prodrugs appear appropriated for their clinical use. The counterpoise (CP) corrected interaction energies of the base pairs were calculated and compared to the natural ones. The M06-2X DFT method was used for this purpose. The molecular structure of 4A-3NBN was analyzed in detail and the crystal unit cell was simulated by a tetramer form and eight dimer forms. The performance of the B3LYP, X3LYP and M06-2X methods was tested on the vibrational wavenumbers in the monomer, dimer and tetramer forms of 4A-3NBN. The observed IR and Raman bands were assigned according to the optimum dimer II form determined by B3LYP and by the tetramer form calculated by M06-2X, which is the expected unit cell that forms the crystal net. The two best scaling procedures were used.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Effect of bromine atom on the different tautomeric forms of microhydrated 5-bromouracil, in the DNA:RNA microhelix and in the interaction with human proteins.

This study focuses on the effects of the bromine atom on the molecular structure parameters in the main tautomeric forms of 5-bromouracil (5BrU), and as well, its effect on hydration and on the Watson-Crick (WC) pairs as compared to uracil molecule. The influence of the bromine atom was studied in several environments. The hydration effect on the molecular structure and energies of the main tautomeric forms of 5BrU was analyzed by considering a variable number of water molecules in explicit form up to 30 to simulate the first and second hydration shells. The 'mutagenic' 2-hydroxy-4-oxo (U2) enol tautomer of 5BrU, but not of uracil, was absolutely favored over the keto form in clusters with more than 20 water molecules. For all calculations, B3LYP and M06-2X Methods were used. The effect of the bromine atom when it was inserted into the natural and reverse WC pairs uridine-adenosine was also determined, and counterpoise (CP) corrected interaction energies were calculated. The effect of the bromine atom was analyzed in several DNA:RNA hybrid microhelices. Different backbone and helical parameters were calculated and compared. The bromine atom destabilizes its base pair, with a remarkable increase in the rise parameter (Dz) corresponding to the microhelix, and to a slight increase in the diameter (d). Molecular docking calculations were also carried out with 5BrU for targeted proteins associated with diabetes, hepatocellular carcinoma and breast and lung cancers. The molecular docking analysis confirms that the 5BrU molecule may play an important role as a promising inhibitor against breast cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Structure and conformational analysis of the anti-HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT using MP2 and DFT methods. Differences with the natural nucleoside thymidine. Simulation of the 1st phosphorylation step with ATP.

A comprehensive quantum-chemical investigation of the conformational landscape of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine) nucleoside analogue was carried out. The whole conformational parameters (χ, γ, ß, δ, ϕ, P, νmax) were analysed as well as the NBO charges. The search located at least 55 stable structures, 9 of which were by MP2 within a 1 kcal mol(-1) electronic energy range of the global minimum. Most conformers were anti or high-anti around the glycoside bond and with North sugar ring puckering angles. The distribution of all the conformers according to the ranges of stability of the characteristic torsional angles was established. The results obtained were in accordance with those found in related anti-HIV nucleoside analogues. The best conformer in the anti form corresponded to the calculated values by MP2 of χ = -126.9°, ß = 176.4° and γ = 49.1°. An analysis of the lowest vibrations in conformer C1 was carried out. The first hydration shell was simulated and the structural differences with the natural nucleoside deoxythymidine (dT) were determined. The first phosphorylation step was simulated by interacting ATP with the best hydrated clusters of AZT and dT. The Na cations act as a bridge between the phosphate moieties of ATP making it easy for -P3O3 to receive the H5' proton from AZT or dT. A proton-transfer mechanism is proposed through the water molecules. When the number of the water molecules surrounding AZT is lower than 8, the first phosphorylation step of AZT can be carried out. However, the appropriate orientation of the O5'-H in dT avoids this limitation and it can be performed with large numbers of water molecules.

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 6-chlorouracil: molecular structure, tautomerism and solid state simulation. A comparison between 5-chlorouracil and 6-chlorouracil.

A Raman and IR study of the biomolecule 6-chlorouracil was carried out in the solid state. The unit cell found in the crystal was simulated as a tetramer form by density functional calculations. Specific scale factors and scaling equations deduced from uracil molecule were employed in the predicted wavenumbers of 6-chlorouracil. The scaled wavenumbers were used in the reassignment of the IR and Raman experimental bands. Good reproduction of the experimental wavenumbers is obtained and the % error is very small in the majority of cases. A comparison between the molecular structure and charge distribution of 6-chlorouracil and 5-chlorouracil molecules was presented. The effect of the hydration with the PCM model in the molecular structure and charges was discussed. The optimum tautomers of 6-chlorouracil were optimized and analyzed. Six of them were related to those of uracil molecule. The effect of the halogen substitution in the sixth position of the pyrimidine ring in the stability of the different tautomers was evaluated. HOMO and LUMO orbital energy analysis were carried out.

Vibrational spectra, tautomerism and thermodynamics of anticarcinogenic drug: 5-fluorouracil.

The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 5-Fluorouracil were recorded in the solid phase in the regions 400-4000 cm(-1) and 50-4000 cm(-1), respectively. The vibrational spectra were analysed and the observed fundamentals were assigned to different normal modes of vibration. The experimental wavenumbers were compared with the scaled vibrational values using DFT methods: the Ar matrix data were related to gas phase calculations, while the values of the solid state spectra were compared to those with dimer simulations. The study indicates that some features that are characteristic of vibrational spectra of uracil and its derivatives are retained in the spectrum of 5-fluorouracil and it exists in ketonic form in the solid phase. The tautomerism was also studied and the spectra of the two most stable forms were simulated. The calculated wavenumbers have been employed to yield thermodynamic properties.

Simulation of the first hydration shell of nucleosides D4T and thymidine: structures obtained using MP2 and DFT methods.

A comparative theoretical analysis on the effect of the solvent on the molecular structure and energetics of the most stable conformers of the nucleoside analogue D4T (stavudine) and of the natural nucleoside thymidine (Thy) was carried out. Solvent effects were considered using the Tomasi's polarized continuum model (PCM) and including a variable number (1-13) of explicit water molecules surrounding the nucleoside in order to simulate the first hydration shell. More than 200 cluster structures with water were analyzed. B3LYP and MP2 quantum chemical methods were used. The CP-corrected interaction energies for D4T and water molecules were computed. For cases where literature data are available, the computed values were in good agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies. In the isolated state, conformer I (anti-gg-gg) appears the most stable for D4T molecule and conformer II (anti-gg-gt) for Thy molecule. In D4T with eight water molecules, conformer II changes to conformer I. Thus, conformer I seems preferred when water molecules are situated in the first hydration shell. However, in hydrated thymidine conformer Ia (anti-gg-tg) is the more stable one, and the first hydration shell is more extended than in D4T molecule. The effect of the hydration on the total atomic charges and intermolecular distances were also discussed. Several general conclusions on hydrogen bonds network and involved interaction energies were underlined.

Vibrational frequencies and structure of 2-thiouracil by Hartree-Fock, post-Hartree-Fock and density functional methods.

Vibrational study of the biomolecule 2-thiouracil was carried out. Ab initio and density functional calculations were performed to assign the experimental spectra. A comparison with the uracil molecule was made, and specific scale factors were deduced and employed in the predicted frequencies of 2-thiouracil. Several scaling procedures were used. The geometry structure of the molecule was determined. The effect of sulfur substitution at C2 position in the uracil molecule, on the N1-H and N3-H frequencies and intensities reflects changes in proton donor abilities of these groups. Calculations with the 6-31 G** basis set with HF and DFT methods appear in general to be useful for interpretation of the general features of the IR and Raman spectra of the molecule. Using specific scale factors a very small error was obtained. The use of these specific scale factors resolve and correct some of the controversial assignments in the literature.