An Efficient Multilayer Approach to Model DNA-Based Nanobiosensors

In this work, we present a full computational protocol to successfully obtain the one-electron reduction potential of nanobiosensors based on a self-assembled monolayer of DNA nucleobases linked to a gold substrate. The model is able to account for conformational sampling and environmental effects at a quantum mechanical (QM) level efficiently, by combining molecular mechanics (MM) molecular dynamics and multilayer QM/MM/continuum calculations within the framework of Marcus theory. The theoretical model shows that a guanine-based biosensor is more prone to be oxidized than the isolated nucleobase in water due to the electrostatic interactions between the assembled guanine molecules. In addition, the redox properties of the biosensor can be tuned by modifying the nature of the linker that anchor the nucleobases to the metal supportThis work was partially supported by the MICINN − Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation − Project Nos. PID2019-110091GB-I00 and PID2020-117806GA-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033, and the “María de Maeztu” (No. CEX2018- 000805-M) Program for Centers of Excellence in R&D. J.J.N. acknowledge the Comunidad de Madrid for funding through the Attraction of Talent Program (Grant Ref. No. 2018-T1/ BMD-10261). J.L.T. acknowledges the FPU-2019 grant from the Spanish Ministry of Universit

Intramolecular and intermolecular hole delocalization rules the reducer character of isolated nucleobases and homogeneous single-stranded DNA

The use of DNA strands as nanowires or electrochemical biosensors requires a deep understanding of charge transfer processes along the strand, as well as of the redox properties. These properties are computationally assessed in detail throughout this study. By applying molecular dynamics and hybrid QM/continuum and QM/QM/continuum schemes, the vertical ionization energies, adiabatic ionization energies, vertical attachment energies, one-electron oxidation potentials, and delocalization of the hole generated upon oxidation have been determined for nucleobases in their free form and as part of a pure single-stranded DNA. We show that the reducer ability of the isolated nucleobases is explained by the intramolecular delocalization of the positively charged hole, while the enhancement of the reducer character when going from aqueous solution to the strand correlates very well with the intermolecular hole delocalization. Our simulations suggest that the redox properties of DNA strands can be tuned by playing with the balance between intramolecular and intermolecular charge delocalizationThis work was partially supported by the MICINN – Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation – Projects PID2019-110091GB-I00 and PID2020-117806GA-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and the ‘María de Maeztu’ (CEX2018-000805-M) Program for Centers of Excellence in R & D. J. J. N. acknowledge the Comunidad de Madrid for funding through the Attraction of Talent Program (Grant ref.2018-T1/BMD-10261). J. L. T. acknowledges the FPU19/02292 grant from the Spanish Ministry of Universit

One-electron oxidation potentials and hole delocalization in heterogeneous single-stranded DNA

The study of DNA processes is essential to understand not only its intrinsic biological functions but also its role in many innovative applications. The use of DNA as a nanowire or electrochemical biosensor leads to the need for a deep investigation of the charge transfer process along the strand as well as of the redox properties. In this contribution, the one-electron oxidation potential and the charge delocalization of the hole formed after oxidation are computationally investigated for different heterogeneous single-stranded DNA strands. We have established a two-step protocol: (i) molecular dynamics simulations in the frame of quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) were performed to sample the conformational space; (ii) energetic properties were then obtained within a QM1/QM2/continuum approach in combination with the Marcus theory over an ensemble of selected geometries. The results reveal that the one-electron oxidation potential in the heterogeneous strands can be seen as a linear combination of that property within the homogeneous strands. In addition, the hole delocalization between different nucleobases is, in general, small, supporting the conclusion of a hopping mechanism for charge transport along the strands. However, charge delocalization becomes more important, and so does the tunneling mechanism contribution, when the reducing power of the nucleobases forming the strand is similar. Moreover, charge delocalization is slightly enhanced when there is a correlation between pairs of some of the interbase coordinates of the strand: twist/shift, twist/slide, shift/slide, and rise/tilt. However, the internal structure of the strand is not the predominant factor for hole delocalization but the specific sequence of nucleotides that compose the strandPID2019-110091GB-I00, PID2020-117806GA-I00, PID2022-138470NB-I00, CNS2022-135720, CEX2018-000805-

Computation of Oxidation Potentials of Solvated Nucleobases by Static and Dynamic Multilayer Approaches

The determination of the redox properties of nucleobases is of paramount importance to get insight into the charge-transfer processes in which they are involved, such as those occurring in DNA-inspired biosensors. Although many theoretical and experimental studies have been conducted, the value of the one-electron oxidation potentials of nucleobases is not welldefined. Moreover, the most appropriate theoretical protocol to model the redox properties has not been established yet. In this work, we have implemented and evaluated different static and dynamic approaches to compute the one-electron oxidation potentials of solvated nucleobases. In the static framework, two thermodynamic cycles have been tested to assess their accuracy against the direct determination of oxidation potentials from the adiabatic ionization energies. Then, the introduction of vibrational sampling, the effect of implicit and explicit solvation models, and the application of the Marcus theory have been analyzed through dynamic methods. The results revealed that the static direct determination provides more accurate results than thermodynamic cycles. Moreover, the effect of sampling has not shown to be relevant, and the results are improved within the dynamic framework when the Marcus theory is applied, especially in explicit solvent, with respect to the direct approach. Finally, the presence of different tautomers in water does not affect significantly the one-electron oxidation potentialsWe acknowledge the generous allocation of computer time at the Centro de Computación Científica at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CCC-UAM). This work was partially supported by the MICINN, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Projects PID2019-110091GB-I00 and PID2020- 117806GA-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033, and the “María de Maeztu” (CEX2018- 000805-M) Program for Centers of Excellence in R&D. J.J.N. and G.C. acknowledge the Comunidad de Madrid for funding through the Attraction of Talent Program (Grant ref 2018-T1/BMD-10261). N.A.O. acknowledges the Comunidad de Madrid and European Social Fund for funding through the Programa Operativo de Empleo Juvenil y la Iniciativa de Empleo Juvenil. J.L.T. acknowledges the FPU19/02292 grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Trainin