A Biological Take on Halogen Bonding and Other Non-Classical Non-Covalent Interactions.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering
• Molecular Biology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Hydrogen bonds have long dominated molecular design.
• Non-classical non-covalent (NC-NC) interactions, including tetrel, pnictogen, chalcogen, and halogen bonds, are emerging as powerful tools.
• Biological halogen bonds (BXBs) are a focus for controlling biomolecular structures and functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the prevalence, geometric constraints, and structure-function relationships of halogen bonds in biological systems.
• To establish criteria for identifying biologically relevant NC-NC interactions.
• To explore the potential of BXBs for biomolecular engineering.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing existing studies on halogen bonds in biological systems.
• Developing criteria for biological relevance of NC-NC interactions.
• Investigating the role of BXBs in DNA Holliday junctions and enzymes.

Main Results:

• Halogen bonds, specifically BXBs, show significant potential in biological systems.
• Criteria for assessing biological relevance of NC-NC interactions have been proposed.
• BXBs can influence the structure, stability, and activity of biomolecules.

Conclusions:

• Biological halogen bonds are a promising area for biomolecular engineering.
• Further research is needed to fully exploit BXBs as a tool for designing novel biomolecular structures and functions.
• The study provides a roadmap for future research into BXBs and other NC-NC interactions in biology.