Talk:WikiJournal of Science/Non-canonical base pairing
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DOI: 10.15347/WJS/2023.002
QID: Q39049436
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Suggested citation format:
Dhananjay Bhattacharyya; Abhijit Mitra (8 April 2023). "Non-canonical base pairing". WikiJournal of Science 6 (1): 2. doi:10.15347/WJS/2023.002. Wikidata Q39049436. ISSN 2470-6345. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiversity/en/7/74/Non-Canonical_Base_Pairing.pdf.
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Wikipedia: Content from this work is used in the following Wikipedia article: Non-canonical base pairing.
License: 
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction, provided the original author and source are credited.
Joanna Argasinska 
(handling editor) contact
Andrew Leung (handling editor) contact
Marta Szachniuk
Article information
Submitting authors: Dhananjay Bhattacharyya[a][i] , Abhijit Mitra[b]
Additional contributors: Wikipedia community
Plagiarism check
Pass. plagiarism check. Report from WMF copyvios tool: Violation Unlikely 3.8% confidence. Only trivial similarities found. T.Shafee(Evo﹠Evo)talk 02:33, 27 February 2019 (UTC)
Review 1
Review by Marta Szachniuk , Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of Technology
These assessment comments were submitted on , and refer to this previous version of the article
I suggest rejecting the article. It is clear that the authors of the paper
are not specialists in the subject they present. The paper is poorly
written. The article collects generally known information published in the
literature. However, the content is not fully organized. The examples are
probably randomly selected, and may confuse the reader (they are not
unified, no captions). Many classical concepts like RNA folding, RNA
architecture, RNA 3D motifs, recurrent motifs are missing. There is
nothing about the graphical representation of non-canonical base pairs
(pictograms proposed by Leontis and Westhof) and such representation is
currently widely used. The role of non-canonical base pairs in RNA folding
is not considered.
More details follow:
1. Introduction
Here the authors write that the 3D structures of DNA and RNA have
complementary base pairs. A nomenclature for bases is used here. In the
context of nucleic acids, rather A,G,T/U, C (nucleosides) are used. In
nucleic acids, we do not deal with bases alone, but with nucleotides.
Ade:Thy (Ade:Ura in RNA) or Gua:Cyt is ok, but this nomenclature is rather
used for QM calculations (as far as the bases are concerned). I would
replace Ade:Gua Trans H:S with AG trans Hoogsteen/Sugar (tHS).
We have now used the base nomenclature scheme adopted in Wikipedia. The nomenclature schemes, in different ways, have been elaborated in Table 1
2. History
The authors first discuss the Watson-Crick base pairing. Then they write
about the discovery of Hoogsteen pairs but no reference is given to the
latter one! I would still expect the authors to give examples where such
Hoogsteen base pair was first discovered. I guess the authors intended to
do it because they give two examples for DNA: TATA box (there are many
newer works, e.g. from Al-Hashimi lab) and sixteenth-nucleotide repeats of
TTAGGG in telomere DNA, which creates quadruplexes (1987). These examples
are ok, but they are not clearly explained. No reference to quadruplexes
is given. IT should be clearly stated where the Hoogsteen base pair was
first discovered and in what sequential and structural context.
Then the authors address the RNA world. Here they give an example of the first crystallographic structure tRNA Phe (again no references!!!). In this paragraph, I would add the discovery of G-U wooble base pair because it is an important pair for RNA.
We have now discussed about the history of determination of structure A:T or G:C Watson-Crick base pairs with relevant references. The sections on Hoogsteen base pairs in DNA double helix or in G-quadruplex structures also have been elaborated
The picture of nucleoside and nucleotide is illegible. It should focus on the bases because the sugar is the same everywhere. I would show here base pair of WC GC, AT/U G-U and example of Hoogsteen from TATA box (with quadruplexes on) or something like Figure 9 here doi: 10.1002/a.1258. Then it would be easier to read this introduction.
I have critical remarks to all the figures in the paper. There are no captions, they are not uniform, on some of them, the bases have hydrogens and on others not. If the figures are copied from another source then they need to be cited. The figures should be more informative as for the review paper. They are of poor quality to the readers.
We have redrawn all the figures with better clarity and resolution
3. Classification of Non-canonical Base-pairs
There is no reference to the basic paper that introduced the
classification of non-canonical base pairs: Leontis, N.B. and E. Westhof,
Geometric nomenclature and classification of RNA base pairs. RNA, 2001.
7(4): p. 499-512.
Many users still use the Saenger classification (e.g. RNA FRABASE). This
classification (which was the first one, being the standard for many
years) must be mentioned together with a reference. The "Saenger
nomenclature" is mentioned but the information is given rather
chaotically. It should be clearly stated that we have the Leontis-Westhof
nomenclature (currently accepted) and Saenger (older).
In this paragraph, I would add information about symbols used to denote
the type of base pair.
There is no link to http://rna.bgsu.edu/rna3dhub/. I do not understand in the first sentence '...and are by and large hydrophobic in nature.'
We have added relevant references as suggested
4. Classification based on isostericity
I would not call this classification, it is not a new classification. I
would use "Isostericity matrix" and give the reference to
http://ndbserver.rutgers.edu/ndbmodule/services/BPCatalog/bpCatalog.html
We differ from the view of the reviewer as the three ways discussed in this manuscript are distinct ways of clustering all the 156 canonical and non-canonical classes of Base Pairs, based on distinct set of attributes. Each of these approaches is useful in distinct contexts. There may be a better term, other than ‘classification’, but we could not think of one such.
5. Classification based on local strand orientation
I wouldn't call this classification again. In the
description/classification of base pairs we have such parameters as bond
orientation and strand orientation. This paragraph should be placed before
isostericity.
The first two methods of classification focus on hydrogen bonding patterns stabilizing the base pairs, and, based on their respective glycosidic bond orientations, on the topology of the interacting faces of the bases. They do not convey any information regarding the local strand orientations associated with the paired bases. This additional information is however relevant for a detailed understanding of the role of the base pairs in the context of the 3D configuration of the sugar-phosphate backbone of long chain functional RNA/DNA structures. Since the first two methods discuss the base pairs as basic local units, and the third method provides additional relevance in the context of the global structures, we feel that our ‘local first and then global’ discussion sequence is more appropriate.
6. Detection of Non-canonical Base-pairs
I wouldn't use the word "Detection" (I associate it more with experimental
methods). They should use "identification" instead. In the world
literature this is named "identification of base pairs".
This chapter deals with methods of identifying base pairs. The authors
give two algorithms: Lu & Olson, and Das. I did not understand from the
description what is the difference between them (and probably the authors
do not understand this difference either). By the way, I do not know Das's
method for base pair identification (never heard of). No other methods are
cited here, but there are some: 3DNA/DSSR, RNAView, FR3D, RNApdbee, etc.
Authors should correct this paragraph. It is incomplete and misleading
If the authors provide examples of methods e.g. 3DNA/DSSR, FR3D and what
web servers use them, e.g. 3DNA/DSSR in NDB, FR3D in
http://rna.bgsu.edu/rna3dhub/, then this information will be useful for
the reader.
We stand corrected, and thank the reviewer for the suggestion. Accordingly, in the current version, we have used the term ‘Identification’ instead of ‘detection’, wherever applicable. We have also tried to explain the different identification protocols to the best of our abilities and have provided the relevant references for the benefit of interested readers. In addition, we have included several other available methods and related servers, in our discussions.
7. Strengths and stabilities of Non-canonical Base-pairs
I do not understand the first sentence:
“As stated above, A:U or A:T base pairs, as proposed by Watson and
Crick, are stabilized by two hydrogen bonds, hence all the base pairs
detected by the second method are expected to be as stable as the
canonical A:U base pair” - What does the second method refer to? To
the Bhattacharyya method? Why only base pairs identified by the second
method?
“Several groups attempted to detect the binding energy” should
be changed to “Several groups attempted to estimate/calculate the
binding energy”
We have rewritten this section to address the issues raised. We thank the reviewer for helping us to make this section more comprehensive.
8. Examples
Here I would introduce the RNA motif (RNA module) and give an example of
non-canonical base pairs in a selected motif, as shown by RNApdbee. It
might be GNRA tetraloop, as the authors have it. I would consider moving
this paragraph further.
We have discussed at length with figures about different RNA motifs where non-canonical base pairs play important role.
9. Higher Order Structures formed by Non-canonical Base-pairs
The authors give two examples: triplets in DNA triplexes and tetrads in
DNA quadruplexes. Perhaps a drawing of G-tetrade and quadruplex would be
useful here.
We have given figures on quadruplex
10. Non-canonical Base-pairs in Double Helical Regions First of all the authors give an example of non canonical base pairs stabilizing tertiary effects in tRNA. Then it is not known in what context the G-U pair is discussed. A GU pair is important but why such an example in this paragraph? (authors talks about the interactions where in tRNA usually occurs G:PSU)
"symmetric internal bulge like motifs" should be changed to "symmetric internal loop".
I suggest replacing the order of paragraphs in this section, i.e. first duplexes and then tertiary effects.
The text would be more clear if the authors introduced the "RNA motif" and gave some examples. Then the role of non-canonical base pairing would be shown more clearly.
We found there are Wiki pages on G:U base pair and hence have largely referred to that. We feel with added discussions on RNA motifs this aspect has become more comprehensive.
Review 2
Review by anonymous peer reviewer ,
These assessment comments were submitted on , and refer to this previous version of the article
The article provides a general introduction of the non-canonical RNA base pairs, including a historic overview, as well as some discussion of their classification, detection, and stability. It is great to see the experts embracing WikiJournal of Science and improving the coverage of scientific topics.
Major comments
1) While the manuscript does include many relevant citations, it could be significantly enhanced by adding more literature references to support the text. For example, a 3-paragraph History section cites only 1 paper. In another example, the Detection section could be made more comprehensive by including other software used for base pair annotation (MC-Annotate, FR3D, RNAView, and ClaRNA, among others). Additional references would also help avoid numerous judgement statements like “reasonably planar, and quite stable” as different readers may have different views on what should be considered as reasonable.
We have modified the History section with more references. We have also discussed about the other methods of identification of base pairs.
2) Would it make sense to provide at least one example of a non-canonical base pair in Figure 1 to help the readers visualise the hydrogen bonds between nucleotides?
We have given four representative figures of non-canonical base pairs which are frequently found in the available structures.
3) To make the article more comprehensive, it could be useful to discuss RNA 3D motifs, such as hairpins, internal loops, and multi-way junctions, as these structures are composed of non-canonical base pairs. In the current version, the only mention of 3D motifs appears to be restricted to internal loops: “Similarly, many non-canonical base pairs, e.g. Ade:Gua tHS (trans Hoogsteen/Sugar edge) or Ade:Ura tHW (trans Hoogsteen/Watson-Crick), Ade:Gua cWW, etc, are seen often within double helical regions giving rise to symmetric internal bulge like motifs.”
We have now discussed about several RNA structural motifs where non-canonical base pairs are involved.
Minor comments
1) “Recent developments, however, reveal that the nucleotide bases are also capable to form large number of various other types of pairing between non-complementary bases”
The statement is not entirely accurate because it suggests that non-canonical base pairs form only between non-complementary bases whereas there are examples of non-canonical base pairs between complementary bases, such as the trans WC-WC AU base pair: http://ndbserver.rutgers.edu/ndbmodule/services/BPCatalog/bpCatalog.html In addition, non-coding base pairs have been known for quite a while - for example, their comprehensive classification was published by Leontis and Westhof in 2001.
We have modified that section with more inputs on historical developments
2) “Most often the non-canonical base pairs appear in the RNA structures as isolated contacts between different residues stabilizing the appropriate fold”
What is meant by isolated contacts?
We have substantially modified the related section to remove the ambiguities
3) “The bases can thus, in principle, be involved in hydrogen bond mediated pairing with other bases involving any one of their three edges.“
Not any of the edges can be always used to form base pairs as some base pair combinations are not possible due to steric clashes, such as the GG cis WC-WC base pair.
Our modified manuscript clearly indicates these limitations
4) “It is expected that a proper understanding of these Non-canonical base pairings would improve the methods of prediction of RNA structure from sequence, hence would be quite useful for human health.” This section could be expanded by mentioning the methods that predict non-coding RNA base pairs based on sequence, such as RNAwolf or RMDetect.
We have now included discussions about how consideration of non-canonical base pairs can improve RNA structure prediction methods.
Typos
“As the canonical and even non-canonical base pairs are sufficiently planer,” “planer “ should be “planar”
“Of course all non-canonical base pairs are not extremely strong and stable” - this sentence needs to be clarified
“Hence, for most non-canonical base-pairs, some of the parameters (Open, Shear and Stretch) calculated by Curves or 3DNA are calculated as large unusual,” - it’s not clear what is meant by “large unusual”.
The “Competing interests” section contains boilerplate text: “Any conflicts of interest that you would like to declare. Otherwise, a statement that the authors have no competing interest.”
Additional editor comments
Comments by Marshallsumter ,
These editorial comments were submitted on , and refer to this previous version of the article
Editorial comments from a non-specialist:
- All of the links to Wikipedia articles are using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA DNA] rather than [[w:DNA|DNA]], for example
- These have been fixed by technical editor. OhanaUnitedTalk page 01:13, 5 December 2022 (UTC)
- Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 do not have a credit.
- We confirm that Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 are ours. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- Note: [w:Non-canonical base pairing] is five sentences long and needs serious expansion. Major expansion would likely mean extensive wikifying of current literature.
- We have tried to make the first paragraph similar to other wiki pages, giving some background to the subject. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- Info in [w:Wobble base pair] probably should be included.
- We have referred to the Wiki page on Wobble base pair. More elaborate discussion is possibly beyond scope of the present topic. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- Note: a Google Scholar search using "Non-canonical base pairing" for anytime produces "About 1,250 results (0.06 sec)". Since 2015: "About 419 results (0.06 sec)". The submission could be extensively expanded to bring the review closer to the state of the science in an apparently 'hot topic'.
- Your observations are correct. Moreover, I did not find any recent review on this topic, keeping the subject open for discussion. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- Comment in response to "It is clear that the authors of the paper are not specialists in the subject they present.": On the whole web using "Non-canonical base pairing" and "Dhananjay Bhattacharyya" as search concepts produces "About 41 results (0.42 seconds)". Some appear to be conference presentations. In the WikiJournal preprint, 4 co-authorships and one first authorship occur for "Dhananjay Bhattacharyya". I'd say Dhananjay Bhattacharyya and co-author are experts. A few papers suggest Dhananjay Bhattacharyya is a theoretician focused on aspects of non-canonical base pairing.
- We are working on the topic for over 15 years and have published about 40 papers in peer reviewed journals on base pairs in nucleic acid structures. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- Comment in response to "Many classical concepts like RNA folding, RNA architecture, RNA 3D motifs, recurrent motifs are missing." These might make good expansion subtopics.
- We have added elaborate discussions on these suggested concepts in the revised manuscript. I feel more discussion is beyond scope of this topic. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- Comment in response to "The authors first discuss the Watson-Crick base pairing. Then they write about the discovery of Hoogsteen pairs but no reference is given to the latter one!" The reference is in the Wikipedia [w:Hoogsteen base pair] article and I agree should be included in the preprint along with perhaps examples from [w:Hoogsteen base pair].
- We have sited additional reference (no. 2 to 5) on Hoogsteen base pairing in the revised manuscript. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
- The remaining comments by reviewer 1 I believe are well-intended.
- Overall impression is that reviewer 1 has made some good constructive suggestions which the authors can handle. Using the phrase "rejecting the article" I see as supplying an incentive to improve the Wikipedia article and especially the review for its own sake. If the authors are amenable to expanding the article and wikifying some of their review as needed to improve the Wikipedia entry, it's a win-win for WikiJournal of Science and Wikipedia. A good review for WJS is essential. --Marshallsumter (discuss • contribs) 23:23, 26 February 2019 (UTC)
- We have tried hard to improve the manuscript by addressing all the concerns. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 12:11, 17 November 2022 (UTC)
Comments by Thomas Shafee ,
These editorial comments were submitted on , and refer to this previous version of the article
I would add that information on biological function would also be useful, this would include the role in formation of RNA tertiary structures (perhaps with example crystal structure) as well as role in interactions (e.g. in codon recognition during translation)
Several biological functions of the non-canonical base pairs have been discussed in the revised manuscript. Their role in maintenance of chromosomal structure of DNA, cancer causing G-quadruplex formation, molecular recognition of RNA structure have been discussed in much detail in the revised manuscript. We further believe that thorough understanding of non-canonical base pairs would be very important for prediction of RNA structure from base sequence. Such prediction is not possible yet due to unavailability of sufficient results on the non-canonical base pairs but in near future this method is expected to be very promising. Bhattasinp (discuss • contribs) 07:36, 2 December 2022 (UTC)