Theoretical study on the hydrolytic deamination mechanism of adenosine

The hydrolytic deamination mechanism of adenosine to produce inosine was studied using density functional method on two models. One is adenine and the other is adenosine. Optimized geometries of reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products were determined at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. IRC calculations were performed on the transition states to verify whether it is the real transition state that connects the corresponding intermediates. Single point calculations were carried out on the previous optimized geometries obtained during IRC calculations. Four pathways have been determined for the hydrolytic deamination of adenosine. Pathway d is the most favorable pathway. In this pathway a tetra-coordinated intermediate is formed through hydrolysis reaction, then the deamination reaction takes place, which causes the cleavage of C6–N10 bond and the creation of C=O bond. Unlike the deamination of adenine, the attacking side of water molecule has effect on the deamination of adenosine. The energy barriers of adenosine deamination are a little higher than those of adenine deamination.