Selenium chalcogen bonds are involved in protein-carbohydrate recognition: a combined PDB and theoretical study.

In this manuscript the ability of selenium carbohydrates to undergo chalcogen bonding (ChB) interactions with protein residues has been studied at the RI-MP2/def2-TZVP level of theory. An inspection of the Protein Data Bank (PDB) revealed SeA (A = O, C and S) intermolecular contacts involving Se-pyranose ligands and ASP, TYR, SER and MET residues. Theoretical models were built to analyse the strength and directionality of the interaction together with "Atoms in Molecules" (AIM), Natural Bonding Orbital (NBO) and Non Covalent Interactions plot (NCIplot) analyses, which further assisted in the characterization of the ChBs described herein. We expect that the results from this study will be useful to expand the current knowledge regarding biological ChBs as well as to increase the visibility of the interaction among the carbohydrate chemistry community.