Stacking Properties of a Highly Hydrophobic Dinucleotide Sequence, N6,N6-Dimeethyladenyly(3'5') N6,N6-dimethyladenosine, Occurring in 16-18-S Ribosomal RNA

Abstract

The thermal denaturation ultraviolet absorption spectra of N⁶,N⁶‐dimethyladenylyl(3′→5′)‐N⁶,N⁶‐dimethyladenosine (m⁶₂Apm⁶₂A), which is a common sequence in 16–18‐S ribosomal RNA, in aqueous buffer at pH 7 have been measured over the temperature range 3–90°C. These data have been used to determine the thermodynamic quantities associated with the intramolecular stacking equilibria. At 25°C in neutral aqueous solution m⁶₂Apm⁶₂A exists mainly (about 81%) as a stacked form, so that the stacking interactions are stronger than those in the parent unmethylated adenylyl‐(3′‐5′)adenosine (ApA), where about 52% is stacked. From the parameters of ΔH and ΔS, it is concluded that ‘hidden’ hydrophobic interactions are of prime importance in the enhanced stability of prime importance in the enhanced stability of m⁶₂Apm⁶₂A. Transphosphorylation reaction of ApA and m⁶₂Apm⁶₂A to form the corresponding cyclic 2′,3′‐phosphates has been studied. First–order rate constants at 25°C for the reactions, which are base‐catalyzed, have been obtained. Insertion of two methyl groups at N‐6 of ApA reduces the rate of transphosphorylation. Effects of stacking on rates are discussed in the light of reaction mechanisms.