Intermolecular ‘cross-torque’: the N4-cytosine propargyl residue is rotated to the ‘CH’-edge as a result of Watson–Crick interaction

Propargyl groups are attractive functional groups for labeling purposes, as they allow CuAAC-mediated bioconjugation. Their size minimally exceeds that of a methyl group, the latter being frequent in natural nucleotide modifications. To understand under which circumstances propargyl-containing oligodeoxynucleotides preserve base pairing, we focused on the exocyclic amine of cytidine. Residues attached to the exocyclic N4 may orient away from or toward the Watson-Crick face, ensuing dramatic alteration of base pairing properties. ROESY-NMR experiments suggest a uniform orientation toward the Watson-Crick face of N(4)-propargyl residues in derivatives of both deoxycytidine and 5-methyl-deoxycytidine. In oligodeoxynucleotides, however, UV-melting indicated that N(4)-propargyl-deoxycytidine undergoes standard base pairing. This implies a rotation of the propargyl moiety toward the 'CH'-edge as a result of base pairing on the Watson-Crick face. In oligonucleotides containing the corresponding 5-methyl-deoxycytidine derivative, dramatically reduced melting temperatures indicate impaired Watson-Crick base pairing. This was attributed to a steric clash of the propargyl moiety with the 5-methyl group, which prevents back rotation to the 'CH'-edge, consequently preventing Watson-Crick geometry. Our results emphasize the tendency of an opposing nucleic acid strand to mechanically rotate single N(4)-substituents to make way for Watson-Crick base pairing, providing no steric hindrance is present on the 'CH'-edge.