4 Applications of Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical Methods to the Chemical Insertion Step of DNA and RNA Polymerization

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2014 Source:Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology Author(s): Lalith Perera , William A. Beard , Lee G. Pedersen , Samuel H. Wilson We review theoretical attempts to model the chemical insertion reactions of nucleoside triphosphates catalyzed by the nucleic acid polymerases using combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical methodology. Due to an existing excellent database of high-resolution X-ray crystal structures, the DNA polymerase β system serves as a useful template for discussion and comparison. The convergence of structures of high-quality complexes and continued developments of theoretical techniques suggest a bright future for understanding the global features of nucleic acid polymerization.
Source: Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research