In this work we investigate the performance of the DFT method, augmented with an empirical dispersion function (DFT-D), paired with the PCM implicit solvation model, for the computation of noncovalent interaction energies of biologically-relevant, solvated model complexes. It is found that this method describes intermolecular interactions within water and ether (protein-like) environments with roughly the same accuracy as in the gas phase. Another important finding is that, when environmental effects are taken into account, the empirical dispersion term associated with the DFT-D method need be modified very little (or not at all), in order to obtain the optimum, most well balanced, performance.

• MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Models, Biological MeSH
• Models, Chemical MeSH
• DNA chemistry   MeSH
• Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions MeSH
• Quantum Theory MeSH
• Macromolecular Substances chemistry   MeSH
• Surface Properties MeSH
• Energy Transfer MeSH
• Proteins chemistry   MeSH
• RNA chemistry   MeSH
• Solubility MeSH
• Solutions MeSH
• Thermodynamics MeSH
• Hydrogen Bonding MeSH

Reduction potentials of several M(2+/3+) (M = Ru, Os) octahedral complexes, namely, [M(H2O)6](2+/3+), [MCl6](4-/3-), [M(NH3)6](2+/3+), [M(en)3](2+/3+) [M(bipy)3](2+/3+), and [M(CN)6](4-/3-), were calculated using the CASSCF/CASPT2/CASSI and MRCI methods including spin-orbit coupling (SOC) by means of first-order quasi-degenerate perturbation theory. It was shown that the effect of SOC accounts for a systematic shift of approximately -70 mV in the reduction potentials of the studied ruthenium (II/III) complexes and an approximately -300 mV shift for the osmium(II/III) complexes. SOC splits the sixfold-degenerate (2)T(2g) ground electronic state (in ideal octahedral symmetry) of the M(3+) ions into the E((5/2)g) Kramers doublet and G((3/2)g) quartet, which were calculated to split by 1354-1573 cm(-1) in the Ru(3+) complexes and 4155-5061 cm(-1) in the Os(3+) complexes. It was demonstrated that this splitting represents the main contribution to the stabilization of the M(3+) ground state with respect to the closed-shell (1)A(1g) ground state in M(2+) systems. Moreover, it was shown that the accuracy of the calculated reduction potentials depends on the calculated solvation energies of both the oxidized and reduced forms. For smaller ligands, it involves explicit inclusion of the second solvation sphere into the calculations, whereas implicit solvation models yield results of sufficient accuracy for complexes with larger ligands. In such cases (e.g., [M(bipy)3](2+/3+) and its derivatives), very good agreement between the calculated (SOC-corrected) values of the reduction potentials and the available experimental values was obtained. These results led us to the conclusion that especially for Os(2+/3+) complexes, inclusion of SOC is necessary to avoid systematic errors of approximately 300 mV in the calculated reduction potentials.

• MeSH
• Models, Chemical MeSH
• Financing, Organized MeSH
• Quantum Theory MeSH
• Models, Molecular MeSH
• Molecular Structure MeSH
• Organometallic Compounds chemistry   MeSH
• Osmium chemistry   MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Ruthenium chemistry   MeSH

We focused on the parametrization and evaluation of empirical models for fast and accurate calculation of conformationally dependent atomic charges in proteins. The models were based on the electronegativity equalization method (EEM), and the parametrization procedure was tailored to proteins. We used large protein fragments as reference structures and fitted the EEM model parameters using atomic charges computed by three population analyses (Mulliken, Natural, iterative Hirshfeld), at the Hartree-Fock level with two basis sets (6-31G*, 6-31G**) and in two environments (gas phase, implicit solvation). We parametrized and successfully validated 24 EEM models. When tested on insulin and ubiquitin, all models reproduced quantum mechanics level charges well and were consistent with respect to population analysis and basis set. Specifically, the models showed on average a correlation of 0.961, RMSD 0.097 e, and average absolute error per atom 0.072 e. The EEM models can be used with the freely available EEM implementation EEM_SOLVER.

• MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Models, Chemical * MeSH
• Databases, Protein MeSH
• Insulin chemistry   MeSH
• Protein Conformation MeSH
• Quantum Theory MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Peptide Fragments chemistry   MeSH
• Gases MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Solutions MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Software * MeSH
• Static Electricity MeSH
• Ubiquitin chemistry   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The thermodynamics of cisplatin and transplatin hydration is studied within the model of constant pH solution. Several implicit solvation models were chosen for the determination of pK(a) and pK constants of the hydration reactions. The polarizable dielectric model (DPCM), integral equation formalism polarizable model (IEFPCM), and polarizable conductor model (CPCM) were combined with the 'united atom model for Hartree-Fock' (UAHF) method for cavity construction and the B3LYP/6-31++G(2dp,2pd) level of calculations for the determination of electronic energies. The results were compared with the COSMO-RS and SM8 model developed by Truhlar (with M06 and MPWX functionals and the charge model CM4). The RMS difference between experimental and calculated pK(a) values of cis/transplatin, water, HCl, and NH (4) (+) was used to evaluate accuracy of calculations. The DPCM model was confirmed to perform the best. The predicted pK(a) constants were used in Legendre transformation for the estimation of the ΔG' energies in the constant-pH model. The dependence of the pK constant on pH is plotted and compared with experimental value at pH=7.4. The influence of various chloride concentrations on the molar fractions of dissolved forms of cisplatin is examined for the DPCM model. The increased ratio of cisplatin active aqua-forms is clearly visible for 4 mM chloride solution in comparison with 104 mM Cl(-) concentration.

• MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Models, Chemical MeSH
• Chlorides chemistry   MeSH
• Cisplatin chemistry   MeSH
• Hydrolysis MeSH
• Coordination Complexes chemistry   MeSH
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration MeSH
• Quantum Theory MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Thermodynamics MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Hydration reactions of two anticancer Pt(IV) complexes JM149 and JM216 (Satraplatin) were studied computationally together with the hydration of the Pt(II) complex JM118, which is a product of the Satraplatin reduction. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the reactions were determined at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2df.2pd)//B3LYP/6-31 + G(d)) level of theory. The water solution was modeled using the COSMO implicit solvation model, with cavities constructed using Klamt's atomic radii. It was found that hydration of the Pt(IV) complexes is an endergonic/endothermic reaction. It follows the (pseudo)associative mechanism is substantially slower (k ≈ 10(-11) s(-1)) than the corresponding reaction of Pt(II) analogues ((k ≈ 10(-5) s(-1)). Such a low value of the reaction constant signifies that the hydration of JM149 and Satraplatin is with high probability a kinetically forbidden reaction. Similarly to JM149 and Satraplatin, the hydration of JM118 is an endothermic/endoergic reaction. On the other hand, the kinetic parameters are similar to those of cisplatin Zimmermann et al. (J Mol Model 17:2385-2393, 2011), allowing the hydration reaction to occur at physiological conditions. These results suggest that in order to become active Satraplatin has to be first reduced to JM118, which may be subsequently hydrated to yield the active species.

• MeSH
• Models, Chemical MeSH
• Kinetics MeSH
• Quantum Theory MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Models, Molecular MeSH
• Organoplatinum Compounds chemistry   MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents chemistry   MeSH
• Thermodynamics MeSH
• Water chemistry   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

We have recently introduced the "SQM/COSMO" scoring function which combines a semiempirical quantum mechanical description of noncovalent interactions at the PM6-D3H4X level and the COSMO implicit model of solvation. This approach outperformed standard scoring functions but faced challenges with a metalloprotein featuring a Zn(2+)···S(-) interaction. Here, we invoke SCC-DFTB3-D3H4, a higher-level SQM method, and observe improved behavior for the metalloprotein and high-quality results for the other systems. This method holds promise for diverse protein-ligand complexes including metalloproteins.

• MeSH
• Quantum Theory * MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Metalloproteins metabolism   MeSH
• Thermodynamics MeSH
• Protein Binding MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH