Deuterium NMR investigation of backbone dynamics in the synthetic oligonucleotide [d(CGCGAATTCGCG)]2.

Backbone dynamics in the [5',5"-2H2]2'-deoxythymidine labeled duplex dodecamer [d-(CGCGAAT*T*CGC)]2 have been investigated by solid-state 2H NMR. Quadrupolar echo line shapes, spin-lattice relaxation, and quadrupolar echo decay times were obtained over hydration levels ranging from W = 0.0 to 25.2 (moles of H2O/mole of nucleotide). Variation of the line shape with changing hydration level was analyzed by using models employed in previous investigations of dodecamer base and sugar dynamics. Both fast local motions and a slower helix motion were present within the oligonucleotide. The fast motion was modeled as a four-site libration whose amplitude increased with hydration level. The root mean square amplitude of this librational model was 2-6 degrees larger than the amplitude observed in either the furanose ring or base labeled material for the entire range of hydration levels investigated. The observed line shape was inconsistent with a rapid three-site trans-gauche isomerization. A slow motion about the helix axis was observed at low water levels and increased in rate and amplitude with hydration. This motional model is in agreement with previous oligonucleotide studies.