Journal
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
Volume 137, Issue 6, Pages 1504S-1508SPublisher
AMER SOCIETY NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.6.1504S
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- NINDS NIH HHS [NS 34407] Funding Source: Medline
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The cation-pi interaction is a general, strong, noncovalent binding force that is used throughout nature. The side chains of the aromatic amino acids [phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and tryptophan (Trp)] provide a surface of negative electrostatic potential than can bind to a wide range of cations through a predominantly electrostatic interaction. In this brief overview, the fundamental nature of the cation-pi interaction will be described, relying on fundamental, gas phase studies of the effect. Then, several examples of cation-pi interactions involving aromatic amino acids will be described. These include contributions to protein secondary structure, in which Phe/Tyr/Trp... lysine (Lys)/arginine interactions are common. We will also describe several examples of protein-ligand interactions that make use of cation-pi interactions. We will place special emphasis on the binding of quaternary ammonium ions, such as trimethylated Lys and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
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