Serine octamer metaclusters: formation, structure elucidation and implications for homochiral polymerization

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Chemical Physics

Background:

• Serine is a fundamental amino acid.
• Metaclusters are aggregates of molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structure of multiply charged serine metaclusters.
• To understand the formation and bonding within these metaclusters.

Main Methods:

• Electrospray ionization was used to generate serine metaclusters.
• Tandem mass spectrometry experiments were performed.
• Molecular mechanics calculations were employed to model structures.

Main Results:

• Multiply charged serine metaclusters, comprising two or more homochiral octameric units, were successfully generated.
• Unique fused structures were identified, characterized by hydrogen bonding between the sticky ends of drum-shaped octameric units.
• The elucidated structures provide insights into non-covalent interactions in biomolecular clusters.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully elucidated the fused structures of multiply charged serine metaclusters.
• Hydrogen bonding plays a critical role in the stability and assembly of these metaclusters.
• This research contributes to understanding the supramolecular chemistry of amino acid aggregates.