Search

The three-dimensional architecture and function of nucleic acids strongly depend on the presence of metal ions, among other factors. Given the negative charge of the phosphate-sugar backbone, positively charged species, mostly metal ions, are necessary for compensation. However, these ions also allow and induce folding of complicated RNA structures. Furthermore, metal ions bind to specific sites, stabilizing local motifs and positioning themselves correctly to aid (or even enable) a catalytic mechanism, as, for example, in ribozymes. Many nucleic acids thereby exhibit large differences in folding and activity depending not only on the concentration but also on the kind of metal ion involved. As a consequence, understanding the role of metal ions in nucleic acids requires knowing not only the exact positioning and coordination sphere of each specifically bound metal ion but also its intrinsic site affinity. However, the quantification of metal ion affinities toward certain sites in a single-stranded (though folded) nucleic acid is a demanding task, and few experimental data exist. In this Account, we present a new tool for estimating the binding affinity of a given metal ion, based on its ligating sites within the nucleic acid. To this end, we have summarized the available affinity constants of Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Pb(2+) for binding to nucleobase residues, as well as to mono- and dinucleotides. We have also estimated for these ions the stability constants for coordinating the phosphodiester bridge. In this way, stability increments for each ligand site are obtained, and a clear selectivity of the ligating atoms, as well as their discrimination by different metal ions, can thus be recognized. On the basis of these data, we propose a concept that allows one to estimate the intrinsic stabilities of nucleic acid-binding pockets for these metal ions. For example, the presence of a phosphate group has a much larger influence on the overall affinity of Mg(2+), Ca(2+), or Mn(2+) compared with, for example, that of Cd(2+) or Zn(2+). In the case of Cd(2+) and Zn(2+), the guanine N7 position is the strongest intrinsic binding site. By adding up the individual increments like building blocks, one derives an estimate not only for the overall stability of a given coordination sphere but also for the most stable complex if an excess of ligating atoms is available in a binding pocket saturating the coordination sphere of the metal ion. Hence, this empirical concept of adding up known intrinsic stabilities, like building blocks, to an estimated overall stability will help in understanding the accelerating or inhibiting effects of different metal ions in ribozymes and DNAzymes.

The acidity constants of the (N7)H(+) sites of inosylyl(3'-->5')inosine (IpI(-)) were estimated and those of its (N1)H sites were measured by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (25 degrees C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO3). The same method was used for the determination of the stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between Mg(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), or Cd(2+) (= M(2+)) and (IpI - H)(2-) and, in the case of Mg(2+), also of (IpI - 2H)(3-). The stability constants of the M(IpI)(+) complexes were estimated. The acidity constants of H(inosine)(+) and the stability constants of the M(Ino)(2+) and M(Ino - H)(+) complexes were taken from the literature. The comparison of these and related data allows the conclusion that, in the M(IpI - H) species, chelates are formed; most likely they are preferably of an N7/N7 type. For the metal ions Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), or Cd(2+), the formation degrees of the chelates are on the order of 60-80%; no chelates could be detected for the Mg(IpI - H) complexes. It is noteworthy that the (N1)H deprotonation, which leads to the M(IpI - H) species, occurs in all M(IpI)(+) complexes in the physiological pH range of about 7.5 or even below.

The acidity constants of 3-fold protonated 9-[2-(2-phosphonoethoxy)ethyl]adenine, H3(PEEA)+, and of 2-fold protonated (2-phosphonoethoxy)ethane, H2(PEE), and the stability constants of the M(H;PEEA)+, M(PEEA), and M(PEE) complexes with M2+ = Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, or Cd2+ have been determined (potentiometric pH titrations; aqueous solution; 25 degrees C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO3). It is concluded that in the M(H;PEEA)+ species, the proton is at the phosphonate group and the metal ion at the adenine residue. The application of previously determined straight-line plots of log K(M(R-PO3))M versus pK(H(R-PO3))H for simple phosph(on)ate ligands, R-PO3(2-), where R represents a residue that does not affect metal-ion binding, proves that the M(PEEA) complexes of Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ as well as the M(PEE) complexes of Co2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ have larger stabilities than is expected for a sole phosphonate coordination of M2+. For the M2+ complexes without an enhanced stability (e.g., Mg2+ or Mn2+), it is concluded that M2+ binds in a monodentate fashion to the phosphonate group of the two ligands. Combination of all of the results allows the following conclusions: (i) The increased stability of the Co(PEE), Cu(PEE), Zn(PEE), and Co(PEEA) complexes is due to the formation of six-membered chelates involving the ether-oxygen atom of the aliphatic residue (-CH2-O-CH2CH2-PO3(2-)) of the ligands with formation degrees of about 15-30%. (ii) Cd(PEEA) forms a macrochelate with N7 of the adenine residue (formation degree about 30%); Ni(PEEA) has similar properties. (iii) With Zn(PEEA), both mentioned types of chelates are observed, that is, Zn(PEEA)(cl/O) and Zn(PEEA)(cl/N7), with formation degrees of about 13 and 41%, respectively; the remaining 46% is due to the "open" isomer Zn(PEEA)(op) in which the metal ion binds only to the PO3(2-) group. (iv) Most remarkable is Cu(PEEA) because a fourth isomer, Cu(PEEA)(cl/O/N3), is formed that contains a six-membered ring involving the ether oxygen next to the phosphonate group and also a seven-membered ring involving N3 of the adenine residue with a very significant formation degree of about 50%. Hence, PEEA(2-) is a truly ambivalent ligand, its properties being strongly dependent on the kind of metal ion involved. Comparisons with M2+ complexes formed by the dianions of 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA) and related ligands reveal that five-membered chelates involving an ether-oxygen atom are considerably more stable than the corresponding six-membered ones. This observation offers an explanation of why PMEA is a nucleotide analogue with excellent antiviral properties and PEEA is not.

The acidity constants of the 2-fold protonated (1H-benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl)phosphonate, H2(Bimp)(+/-), are given, and the stability constants of the M(H;Bimp)+ and M(Bimp) complexes with the metal ions M2+ = Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, or Cd2+ have been determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution at I = 0.1 M (NaNO3) and 25 degrees C. Application of previously determined straight-line plots of log KM(M(Bi-R)) versus pKH(H(Bi-R)) for benzimidazole-type ligands, Bi-R, where R represents a residue which does not affect metal ion binding, proves that the primary binding site in the M(H;Bimp)+ complexes is (mostly) N3 and that the proton is located at the phosphonate group; outersphere interactions seem to be important, and the degree of chelate formation is above 60% for all metal ion complexes studied, except for Zn(H;Bimp)+. A similar evaluation based on log KM(M(R-PO3)) versus pKH(H(R-PO3)) straight-line plots for simple phosph(on)ate ligands, R-, where R represents a residue which cannot participate in the coordination process, reveals that the primary binding site in the M(Bimp) complexes is (mostly) the phosphonate group with all metal ions studied. In this case, the formation degree of the chelates varies more widely in dependence on the kind of metal ion involved, i.e., from 17 +/- 11% to nearly 100% for Ba(Bimp) and Cu(Bimp), respectively. For all the M(H;Bimp)+ and M(Bimp) systems, the intramolecular equilibria between the isomeric complexes are evaluated in a quantitative manner. The fact that for Bimp2- the metal ion affinity of the two binding sites, N3 and PO3(2-), can be calculated independently, i.e., the corresponding micro stability constants become known, allows us to present for the first time a method for the quantification of the chelate effect solely based on comparisons of stability constants which carry the same dimensions. This effect is often ill defined in textbooks because equilibrium constants of different dimensions are compared, which is avoided in the present case. For the M(Bimp) complexes, it is shown that the chelate effect is close to zero for Ba(Bimp) whereas for Cu(Bimp) it amounts to about four log units. This method is also applicable to other chelating systems. Finally, considering that benzimidazole as well as phosphonate derivatives are employed as therapeutic agents, the potential biological properties of Bimp, especially regarding nucleic acid polymerases, are briefly discussed.

The acidity constants of guanylyl(3'-->5')guanosine (GpG(-)) and 2'-deoxyguanylyl(3'-->5')-2'-deoxyguanosine [d(GpG)(-)] for the deprotonation of their (N1)H sites were measured by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (25 degrees C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO(3)). The same method was used for the determination of the stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between Mg(2+), Ni(2+), or Cd(2+) (= M(2+)) and (GG-H)(2-), and in the case of Mg(2+) also of (GG-2H)(3-), where GG(-) = GpG(-) or d(GpG)(-). The stability constants of the M(GG)(+) complexes were estimated. The acidity constants of the H(dGuo)(+) and dGuo species (dGuo = 2'-deoxyguanosine) and the stability constants of the corresponding M(dGuo)(2+) and M(dGuo-H)(+) complexes were also measured. Comparison of these and related data allows the conclusion that N7 of the 5'G unit in GG(-) is somewhat more basic than the one in the 3'G moiety; the same holds for the (N1)(-) sites. On the basis of comparisons with the stability constants measured for the dGuo complexes, it is concluded that M(2+) binding of the GG dinucleoside monophosphates occurs predominantly in a mono-site fashion, meaning that macrochelate formation is not very pronounced. Indeed, it was a surprise to find that the stabilities of the complexes of dGuo or (dGuo-H)(-) and the corresponding ones derived from GG(-) are so similar. Consequently, it is suggested that in the M(GG)(+) and M(GG-H) complexes the metal ion is mainly located at N7 of the 5'G unit since this is the more basic site allowing also an outer-sphere interaction with the C6 carbonyl oxygen and because this coordination mode is also favorable for an electrostatic interaction with the negatively charged phosphodiester bridge. It is further suggested that Mg(2+) binding (which is rather weak compared to that of Ni(2+) and Cd(2+)) occurs mainly in an outer-sphere mode, and on the basis of the so-called Stability Ruler it is concluded that the binding properties of Zn(2+) to the GG species are similar to those of Ni(2+) and Cd(2+).

The effect of Pt(2+) coordination, in particular of (dien)Pt(2+) or cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(2+), on the acid-base properties of the purine ligands 9-ethylguanine (9EtG), 9-methylhypoxanthine (9MeHx), inosine (Ino), 9-methyladenine (9MeA), and N6',N6',N9-trimethyladenine (TriMeA) is quantitatively evaluated. The corresponding acidity constants of the complexes are calculated by curve-fitting procedures using previously published (1)H NMR shift data which had been measured in aqueous solution (D(2)O) in dependence on pH (pD). Comparison of the pK(a) values of the ligands with those of the Pt(2+) complexes reveals the expected behavior for the (N7)-platinated complexes; i.e., the (N1)H(0/+) sites are acidified due to charge repulsion. However, Pt(2+) coordination at (N1)(-)(/0) sites leads to an (already previously observed) apparent increase in the basicity of the N7 sites for the guanine, hypoxanthine, and adenine residues; this is also the case if Pt(2+) is bound to N3. Coordination of Pt(2+) to both the (N1)(-) and N7 sites of 9EtG results apparently in an enhanced basicity of N3 if compared with the release of the proton from the (N3)H(+) site in H(2)(9EtG)(2+). For the former cases in aqueous solution (H(2)O) it is now proven for a comprehensive set of data (seven examples), by taking into account the intrinsic basicities of the various N7 sites via micro acidity constants, that the acidifications are reciprocal and identical. This means Pt(2+) coordinated to (N1)(-)(/0) sites in guanine, hypoxanthine, or adenine residues acidifies the (N7)H(+) unit to the same extent as (N7)-coordinated Pt(2+) acidifies the (N1)H(0/+) site. In other words, the apparently increased basicity of N7 upon Pt(2+) coordination at (N1)(-)(/0) sites disappears if the micro acidity constants of the appropriate isocharged tautomers of the ligand are properly taken into account. It is further proven, on the basis of the evaluations of the nucleotide analogue 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA), that these given conclusions are also valid for nucleotides. In addition, it is shown that the mentioned apparent basicity increase, which results from the use of macro acidity constants, has its origin in the fact that the proton-metal ion (Pt(2+)) interaction (the extent of which depends on the kind of metal ion involved) is less pronounced than the proton-proton interaction. Finally, the proven reciprocal behavior will now allow one to determine micro acidity constants of ligands by studying complexes formed with kinetically inert metal ions. A further result of interest is the proof that the competition of Pt(2+) (or Pd(2+)) with the proton for the (N1)(-) and N7 binding sites of inosinate results in the isomer where the metal ion is at N7 with the proton relegated to (N1)(-); this isomer is favored by a factor of about 2000 compared with the one having the metal ion at (N1)(-) and the proton at N7.

The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), or Cd(2+) (=M(2+)) and 1-methyl-4-aminobenzimidazole (MABI) or 1,4-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMBI) were determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (25 degrees C; I = 0.5 M, NaNO(3)). Some of the stability constants were also measured by UV spectrophotometry. The acidity constants of the species H(2)(MABI)(2+) and H(DMBI)(+) were determined by the same methods, some twice. Comparison of the stability constants of the M(MABI)(2+) and M(DMBI)(2+) complexes with those calculated from log versus p straight-line plots, which were established previously for sterically unhindered benzimidazole-type ligands (=L), reveals that the stabilities of the M(MABI)(2+) and M(DMBI)(2+) complexes are significantly reduced due to steric effects of the C4 substituents on metal ion binding at N3. This effect is more pronounced in the M(DMBI)(2+) complexes. Considering the steric equivalence of methyl and (noncoordinating) amino groups (as they occur in adenines), it is concluded that the same extent of steric inhibition by the (C6)NH(2) group is to be expected on metal ion binding at N7 with adenine derivatives. The basicity of the amino group in MABI is significantly higher than in its corresponding adenine derivative. Indeed, it is concluded that in the M(MABI)(2+) complexes chelate formation involving the amino group occurs to some extent. The formation degrees of these "closed" species are calculated; they vary for the complexes of Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), or Cd(2+) between about 50 and 90%. The stability of the M(MABI)(2+) and M(DMBI)(2+) complexes with the alkaline earth ions is very low but unaffected by the C4 substituent; this probably indicates that in these instances outersphere complexes (with a water molecule between N3 and the metal ion) are formed.

The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between Pb2+ and the nucleosides (Ns), adenosine and guanosine, as well as between the nucleotides (NMP2-), AMP2-, IMP2-, and GMP2-, were determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (25 degrees C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO3). Based on previously established log KPb(R-PO3)Pb versus pKH(R-PO3)H straight-line plots (R-PO3(2-) = simple phosphate monoester or phosphonate ligands where R is a noninteracting site), it is shown that the Pb(IMP) and Pb(GMP) complexes are more stable than is expected on the basis of the basicity of the phosphate group of IMP2- and GMP2-. This means that macrochelates are formed, where the phosphate-coordinated Pb2+ also interacts with N7 of the nucleobase residue. In contrast, the stability of the Pb(AMP) complex is governed by the basicity of the AMP2- phosphate group. These results agree with the observations made for the Pb(Ns)2+ complexes: Pb(adenosine)2+ is very unstable in contrast to Pb(guanosine)2+, the stability of which is very similar to the one of Pb(cytidine)2+ studied previously. The stability constants of the Pb(Ns)2+ complexes also allowed an evaluation of the structure in solution of the monoprotonated Pb(H;NMP)+ complexes, the stabilities of which were also determined. We were able to show that the proton is located at the phosphate group and Pb2+ at the N7/(C6)O site of H(GMP)-; in the case of H(AMP)- Pb2+ is probably about equally distributed between the adenine residue and the monoprotonated phosphate group. On the basis of the stability constants of these complexes and their structures in solution, it is possible to provide a series which reflects the decreasing affinity for Pb2+ of nucleobase residues in single-stranded nucleic acids: guanine approximately equal to cytosine > (hypoxanthine) > adenine > uracil approximately equal to thymine. The Pb2+ affinity of the phosphodiester linkage, -PO3(-)-, is similar to the one of the adenine residue, but is expected to be more significant due to its larger abundance. The relevance of these results for lead-activated ribozymes is briefly discussed.

To the best of our knowledge, for the first time the stabilities of sexternary complexes are determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C and I = 0.1 M (NaNO3). The sexternary complexes form by binding of the binary Cu(Arm)2+ complexes, where Arm = 2,2'-bipyridine (Bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), to the -PO3(2-) group present in the quaternary cis-(NH3)2Pt(dGuo)(dGMP) complex. It is shown by stability constant comparisons and spectrophotometric measurements (observation of charge-transfer bands for the Phen system) that the [cis-(NH3)2Pt(dGuo)(dGMP).Cu(Arm)]2+ complexes can fold in such a way that aromatic ring stacking between the aromatic rings of Bpy or Phen and a guanine residue (most probably the one of dGMP2-) becomes possible. The formation degree of the stacks reaches approximately 25 and 50% for the [cis-(NH3)2Pt-(dGuo)(dGMP).Cu(Bpy)]2+ and [cis-(NH3)2Pt(dGuo)(dGMP).Cu(Phen)]2+ species, respectively. By comparisons with Cu(Arm)(dGMP) complexes, it is shown that the cis-(NH3)2Pt2+ unit coordinated to N7 of the guanine residues in the sexternary complexes inhibits stacking but does not prevent it. This result is of general importance because it demonstrates that in aqueous solution purine residues of nucleotides or nucleic acids that carry a metal ion at N7 can still undergo stacking interactions with other suitable aromatic ring systems.

The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), or Cd(2+) and the pyrimidine-nucleoside 5'-diphosphates CDP(3)(-), UDP(3)(-), and dTDP(3)(-) (= NDP(3)(-)) were determined by potentiometric pH titration in aqueous solution (I = 0.1 M, NaNO(3); 25 degrees C). For comparison, the same values were measured for the corresponding complexes with the simple diphosphate monoesters (R-DP(3)(-)) phenyl diphosphate, methyl diphosphate, and n-butyl diphosphate. The acidity constants for H(3)(CDP)(+/-), H(2)(UDP)(-), H(2)(dTDP)(-), and H(2)(R-DP)(-) were measured also via potentiometric pH titration and various comparisons with related constants are made. By plotting log versus for the complexes of all six diphosphates mentioned and by a careful evaluation of the deviation of the various data pairs from the straight-line correlations, the expectation is confirmed that in the M(UDP)(-) and M(dTDP)(-) complexes the metal ion is only diphosphate-coordinated. The straight-line equations, which result from the mentioned correlations, together with the pK(a) value of a given monoprotonated diphosphate monoester allow now to predict the stability of the corresponding M(R-DP)(-) complexes. In this way, the experimentally determined stability constants for the M(CDP)(-) complexes are evaluated and it is concluded that the pyridine-like N3 of the cytosine residue does not participate in complex formation; i.e., the stability of the M(CDP)(-) complexes is also solely determined by the coordination tendency of the diphosphate residue. In all the monoprotonated M(H;NDP) and M(H;R-DP) complexes both, H(+) and M(2+), are bound at the diphosphate group. Only the Cu(H;CDP) complex exists in aqueous solution in the form of three different isomers: about 15% of the species have Cu(2+) and H(+) at the diphosphate residue, in about 13% Cu(2+) is bound at N3 and H(+) at the terminal beta-phosphate group, and the dominating isomer with about 72% carries the proton at N3 and the metal ion at the diphosphate residue. Several general features of phosphate-metal ion coordination are discussed, and estimations for the stabilities of the Fe(2+) complexes formed with mono-, di-, and triphosphate monoesters are provided.

The acid-base properties of cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(dG)(2)(2)(-), where both dG(2)(-) (=2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate) are N7-coordinated to the same Pt(II) [the complex is abbreviated as Pt(dG)(2)(2)(-)], are summarized [on the basis of potentiometric pH titration data from B. Song et al. (Metal-Based Drugs 1996, 3, 131-141)] and a micro acidity constant scheme is developed which allows quantification of the intrinsic acidity of the two P(O)(2)(OH)(-) groups present in this ternary complex (I = 0.1 M, NaNO(3); 25 degrees C). On the basis of comparisons with the corresponding acid-base properties of cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(dCMP.H-N3)(2) [(dCMP.H)(-) = phosphate-monoprotonated 2'-deoxycytidine 5'-monophosphate] it is concluded that intramolecular, outer-sphere macrochelates form via Pt(NH(3)).O(3)P hydrogen bonds. The formation degree of these macrochelates is quantified; it amounts in aqueous solution in each case (in its lower limit) to about 40% for the various possibilities which exist for the formation of these chelates in the cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(dG)(2) complexes. The stability constants of the mixed metal ion complexes, M[Pt(H;dG)(dG)](+) and M[Pt(dG)(2)], were also determined via potentiometric pH titrations. On the basis of previous measurements with simple phosphate monoesters and phosphonate derivatives, i.e., R-PO(3)(2)(-) with R being a noncoordinating residue (Sigel, H.; et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 1992, 75, 2634-2656), it is shown that the stability of the two mixed metal ion complexes is largely governed by the basicity of the phosphate groups (as quantified via the mentioned microconstants) indicating that the effect of the N7-bound Pt(II) on the phosphate-metal ion binding properties is relatively small. These results suggest that, e.g., a metal ion bound to a nucleobase residue in a nucleotide or in a nucleic acid affects only slightly the metal ion binding capabilities of its phosphate residue or its phosphate backbone.

The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes formed between Cu(Arm)(2+), where Arm = 2,2'-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline, and flavin mononucleotide (= FMN(2)(-) = riboflavin 5'-phosphate) were determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C and I = 0.1 M (NaNO(3)). The experimental conditions were carefully selected such that only the monomeric complex species formed. On the basis of previously established log K versus pK(a) straight-line plots (Chen, D.; et al. J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1993, 1537-1546) for the corresponding ternary complexes of simple phosphate monoesters and phosphonate derivatives, R-PO(3)(2)(-), where R is a noncoordinating residue, it is shown that the stability of the ternary Cu(Bpy)(FMN) and Cu(Phen)(FMN) complexes is considerably higher than is expected on the basis of the basicity of the phosphate group of FMN(2)(-). By comparison with the stability of the ternary Cu(Arm)(G1P) complexes, where G1P = glycerol 1-phosphate, which had previously been studied (Liang, G.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.1992, 114, 7780-7785) and in which the coordination sphere of Cu(2+) is identical with the one in Cu(Arm)(FMN), it can unequivocally be shown that the mentioned enhanced stability of the Cu(Arm)(FMN) complexes is solely due to the formation of intramolecular stacks; their formation degree reaches for Cu(Bpy)(FMN) and Cu(Phen)(FMN) about 80 and 90%, respectively. These, as well as recent results regarding the self-stacking of FMN(2)(-) (Bastian, M.; Sigel, H. Biophys. Chem. in press) show that the flavin moiety is ideally suited for stacking and charge-transfer interactions, which are so important for the flavin coenzymes in nature.