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Atomic Scale Structural Studies of Macromolecular Assemblies by Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

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Carbon-oxygen hydrogen bonding in biological structure and function.

Scott Horowitz¹, Raymond C Trievel

¹Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry

|October 11, 2012

Summary

Carbon-oxygen (CH···O) hydrogen bonds, though historically underappreciated, are crucial molecular interactions in biological systems. Recent research highlights their significant impact on protein and nucleic acid structure, recognition, and catalysis.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Molecular Interactions

Background:

Carbon-oxygen (CH···O) hydrogen bonding is an unconventional molecular interaction.
These bonds were first identified in biological structures over 40 years ago but remain underappreciated.
Recent experimental studies have provided direct evidence for their prevalence and importance in biological systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a historical overview of biological CH···O hydrogen bonding.
To summarize recent advancements in understanding these interactions.
To explore the functional significance of CH···O bonds in biomolecular systems.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental studies over the past 15 years.
Analysis of literature on CH···O hydrogen bonding in biological structures.
Examination of impacts on protein and nucleic acid structure, molecular recognition, and enzyme catalysis.

Main Results:

CH···O hydrogen bonds play a significant role in protein and nucleic acid structure.
These interactions are important for molecular recognition processes.
Evidence suggests involvement in enzyme catalysis.

Conclusions:

Biological CH···O hydrogen bonding is more prevalent and functionally important than previously recognized.
Further research is needed to fully understand the scope and implications of these unconventional interactions.
Overarching themes and unresolved questions in biomolecular structure involving CH···O bonds are discussed.