Biopolym. Cell. 2003; 19(1):43-63.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7124/bc.00063B
Structure and Function of Biopolymers
UV spectra of pyrimidine bases and nucleosides in the context of methylsubstitution and interaction with amino acid carboxylic group
1Stepanyugin A. V., 1Kolomiets' I. M., 1Potyahaylo A. L., 1Samijlenko S. P., 1Hovorun D. M.
  1. Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine
    150, Akademika Zabolotnoho Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03680

Abstract

UV spectra of pyrimidine nucleotide bases, nucleosides, a number of their derivatives and analogues were investigated in anhydrous DMSO. Effects of interaction with neutral and deprotonated carboxylic group of amino acids on the UV spectra were traced. It was established that methylation of pyrimidine bases at the positions 1 and 5 leads to the 5–12 nm bathochromic shift of the absorption bands. The majority of the Cyt derivatives excluding m3Cyt and isoCyt were shown to interact specifically with neutral carboxylic group. Interactions with deprotonated carboxylic group is characteristic of Ura, Thy and their derivatives, except chx1Ura, s2Ura and dU. The conclusion was drawn that substitution at the positions I and 5 is accompanied by a decrease of a complex formation ability with the both forms of carboxylic groups, but substitution at the position 5 strengthens interaction with neutral carboxylic group but decreases interaction with carboxylate-ion. Biological significance of the results obtained is discussed.
Full text: (PDF, in Ukrainian)

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