Mechanism of selective polarization exchange amongst chemically similar and distinct protons during weak rf irradiation at fast magic angle spinning

Simultaneous recoupling of chemical shift tensors of two nuclei by R-symmetry sequences

Chemical shift tensors (CSTs) are sensitive probes of structure and dynamics. R-symmetry pulse sequences (RNCSA) can efficiently recouple CSTs of varying magnitudes in magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR experiments, for a broad range of conditions and MAS frequencies. Herein, we introduce dual-channel R-symmetry pulse sequences for simultaneously recording CSTs of two different nuclei in a single experiment (DORNE-CSA). We demonstrate the performance of DORNE-CSA sequences for simultaneous measurement of 13C and 15N CSTs, on a U-13C,15N-labeled microcrystalline l-histidine. We show that the DORNE-CSA method is robust, provides accurate CST parameters, and takes only half of the measurement time compared to a pair of RNCSA experiments otherwise required for recording the CSTs of individual nuclei. DORNE-CSA approach is broadly applicable to a wide range of biological and inorganic systems.

Ultrafast Magic Angle Spinning Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: Advances in Methodology and Applications

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is one of the most commonly used techniques to study the atomic-resolution structure and dynamics of various chemical, biological, material, and pharmaceutical systems spanning multiple forms, including crystalline, liquid crystalline, fibrous, and amorphous states. Despite the unique advantages of solid-state NMR spectroscopy, its poor spectral resolution and sensitivity have severely limited the scope of this technique. Fortunately, the recent developments in probe technology that mechanically rotate the sample fast (100 kHz and above) to obtain "solution-like" NMR spectra of solids with higher resolution and sensitivity have opened numerous avenues for the development of novel NMR techniques and their applications to study a plethora of solids including globular and membrane-associated proteins, self-assembled protein aggregates such as amyloid fibers, RNA, viral assemblies, polymorphic pharmaceuticals, metal-organic framework, bone materials, and inorganic materials. While the ultrafast-MAS continues to be developed, the minute sample quantity and radio frequency requirements, shorter recycle delays enabling fast data acquisition, the feasibility of employing proton detection, enhancement in proton spectral resolution and polarization transfer efficiency, and high sensitivity per unit sample are some of the remarkable benefits of the ultrafast-MAS technology as demonstrated by the reported studies in the literature. Although the very low sample volume and very high RF power could be limitations for some of the systems, the advantages have spurred solid-state NMR investigation into increasingly complex biological and material systems. As ultrafast-MAS NMR techniques are increasingly used in multidisciplinary research areas, further development of instrumentation, probes, and advanced methods are pursued in parallel to overcome the limitations and challenges for widespread applications. This review article is focused on providing timely comprehensive coverage of the major developments on instrumentation, theory, techniques, applications, limitations, and future scope of ultrafast-MAS technology.

Assignment of aromatic side-chain spins and characterization of their distance restraints at fast MAS

The assignment of aromatic side-chain spins has always been more challenging than assigning backbone and aliphatic spins. Selective labeling combined with mutagenesis has been the approach for assigning aromatic spins. This manuscript reports a method for assigning aromatic spins in a fully protonated protein by connecting them to the backbone atoms using a low-power TOBSY sequence. The pulse sequence employs residual polarization and sequential acquisitions techniques to record H^N- and H^C-detected spectra in a single experiment. The unambiguous assignment of aromatic spins also enables the characterization of ¹H-¹H distance restraints involving aromatic spins. Broadband (RFDR) and selective (BASS-SD) recoupling sequences were used to generate H^N-Η^C, H^C-H^N and H^C-H^C restraints involving the side-chain proton spins of aromatic residues. This approach has been demonstrated on a fully protonated U-[¹³C,¹⁵N] labeled GB1 sample at 95-100 kHz MAS.