Opening values and the definition for base-pair parameters

[azurelegend]

Hi,

I'm using X3DNA to analyze the base-pair parameters and the base step parameters recently. My structure is parallel-stranded DNA and all the base pairs are non-canonical pairs. I found that some parameters are very different from a standard DNA structure. For example, the opening will have values like 170, -170, 90. I read some of the related posts and papers but still confused about the definitions. So what do the 170s and 90s value mean? And what is the difference between 170 and -170? How does X3DNA calculate the opening, that is, which angle does it actually calculate?

And I also have a further question that how does X3DNA calculate other base-pair parameters? I think I'm getting confused even from the beginning, how were the (o1, x1, y1 ,z1) and (o2, x2, y2, z2) for each base in a certain base-pair defined?

Thanks in advance,
Jing

[xiangjun]

Hi Jing,

Thanks for using 3DNA, and for posting your questions on the Forum. Your confusions about the details are understandable, and can be clarified most effectively using concrete examples. Do you have examples with opening ~90 and 180?

Since 3DNA source code is available, you can dig into it to see exactly how the base reference frames are defined and how the various parameters are calculated.

Best regards,

Xiang-Jun

[azurelegend]

Hi Xiang-Jun,

Thanks for replying! I have attached several pictures here. They are G and G pairs. The first two are with the opening ~180, the third picture is with ~-180, and the last two are with ~90.

Best,
Jing

[xiangjun]

Hi Jing,

I have attached several pictures here. They are G and G pairs. The first two are with the opening \~180, the third picture is with \~-180, and the last two are with \~90.

Thanks for your follow up, and for providing images that illustrate G.G pairs with opening around 180 and 90 degrees. It would have been more helpful if you attached the corresponding PDB files. When posting questions in the future, thinks about providing (mininal) examples so others can *reproduce* the cases.

Now I understand the question you're asking. Let's use a G+G pair in G-tetrad of G-quadruplexes as an example, which has an opening around 90 degrees. Assuming you have downloaded the coordinates file `5ua3.pdb` for PDB entry 5ua3 on "Crystal structure of a DNA G-quadruplex with a cytosine bulge". Please try the following DSSR commands:

Code: [Select]

# This extract DG1 and DG6 from chain A into file 5ua3-GG.pdb
x3dna-dssr -i=5ua3.pdb --select-residue='A 1+6' -o=5ua3-GG.pdb

# Set the pair into the base reference frame of A.DG1
x3dna-dssr -i=5ua3-GG.pdb --frame='A.1' -o=5ua3-GG-frame1.pdb

# Generate the schematic with base blocks
x3dna-dssr -i=5ua3-GG-frame1.pdb --cartoon-block=sticks-label --block-file=slim-outline -o=5ua3-GG-frame1.pml
Load `5ua3-GG-frame1.pml` into PyMOL to see the attached image where the (`slim`) base blocks are nearly perpendicular, corresponding to an opening angle of ~90 degrees.

Analyze `5ua3-GG.pdb` (or `5ua3-GG-frame1.pdb`) with `--more` option to see the six base-pair parameters, including opening.

Code: [Select]

x3dna-dssr -i=5ua3-GG.pdb --more

# With the following detailed information:
List of 1 base pair
     nt1            nt2            bp  name        Saenger   LW   DSSR
   1 A.DG1          A.DG6          G+G --          06-VI     cWH  cW+M
       [-131.0(anti) ~C2'-endo lambda=62.6] [-128.4(anti) ~C2'-endo lambda=28.0]
       d(C1'-C1')=11.59 d(N1-N9)=9.65 d(C6-C8)=9.30 tor(C1'-N1-N9-C1')=10.9
       H-bonds[2]: "N1(imino)-O6(carbonyl)[2.95],N2(amino)-N7[2.91]"
       interBase-angle=1  Simple-bpParams: Shear=-2.67 Stretch=2.83 Buckle=-0.8 Propeller=0.5
       bp-pars: [1.61    3.54    -0.15   0.14    0.94    -89.63]
Note that the opening is reported as `-89.63` --- if you try to align A.DG6 to A.DG1, you need to rotate ~`-90` degrees as can be seen in the attached images. If you swap the pair, the opening would be ~`+90` degrees. See the [2003 3DNA paper in NAR](https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkg680), specifically the section "Base pair parameters".

With a clear understand of the above example, you should have little difficult in understanding opening ~180 degrees. You are suggested to follow the above example on one of such cases, and report back your findings.

Note that 3DNA/DSSR report angular parameters in the range of [0, +-180] instead of [0, 360]. So opening of `-175` is not that much a difference from `+175` (vs `+185`). Also notice the opposite sign of opening for M+N vs N+M pairs.

Please read the [DSSR manual](http://docs.x3dna.org/dssr-manual.pdf) and the [practical guide for the DSSR-PyMOL](http://skmatic.x3dna.org/dssr-schematic-guide.pdf) article.

Best regards,

Xiang-Jun

[azurelegend]

Hi Xiang-Jun,

Thank you so much! I'll take time to explore on it. By the way, last time you said the 3DNA source code is available, where could I find it?

Best,
Jing

[xiangjun]

Hi Jing,

Please follow what I suggested in the previous response. As for the 3DNA source code, did you notice the download link at the top and the Download instructions post?

Best regards,

Xiang-Jun