Polychromatic Selective Population Inversion for TROSY Experiments with Large Proteins

Frequency selective coherence transfer NMR spectroscopy to study the structural dynamics of high molecular weight proteins

Multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has enabled detailed characterizations of protein structures and dynamics that are closely linked to functions. However, it leads to a large sensitivity loss in applications to high molecular weight proteins, which is caused by spin relaxation during the frequency discrimination period in the indirect dimension. Here, we describe a selective coherence transfer scheme, which enables us to selectively observe ¹H nuclei bonded to ¹⁵N or ¹³C nuclei with specified resonance frequencies. By utilizing this scheme, we achieved a 2.5- to 6-fold increase in signal height per unit of time with this scheme by avoiding the relaxation loss in the indirect dimension, as compared to the conventional two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy. We also demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach with applications to the membrane protein KirBac1.1, and characterized the functionally relevant conformational exchange process in both detergent micelles and a reconstituted membrane environment, corresponding to the apparent molecular masses of 220 kDa and 300 kDa, respectively.

NMR approaches for structural analysis of multidomain proteins and complexes in solution

NMR spectroscopy is a key method for studying the structure and dynamics of (large) multidomain proteins and complexes in solution. It plays a unique role in integrated structural biology approaches as especially information about conformational dynamics can be readily obtained at residue resolution. Here, we review NMR techniques for such studies focusing on state-of-the-art tools and practical aspects. An efficient approach for determining the quaternary structure of multidomain complexes starts from the structures of individual domains or subunits. The arrangement of the domains/subunits within the complex is then defined based on NMR measurements that provide information about the domain interfaces combined with (long-range) distance and orientational restraints. Aspects discussed include sample preparation, specific isotope labeling and spin labeling; determination of binding interfaces and domain/subunit arrangements from chemical shift perturbations (CSP), nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs), isotope editing/filtering, cross-saturation, and differential line broadening; and based on paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PRE) using covalent and soluble spin labels. Finally, the utility of complementary methods such as small-angle X-ray or neutron scattering (SAXS, SANS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or fluorescence spectroscopy techniques is discussed. The applications of NMR techniques are illustrated with studies of challenging (high molecular weight) protein complexes.

Multi-dimensional NMR without coherence transfer: minimizing losses in large systems

Most multi-dimensional solution NMR experiments connect one dimension to another using coherence transfer steps that involve evolution under scalar couplings. While experiments of this type have been a boon to biomolecular NMR the need to work on ever larger systems pushes the limits of these procedures. Spin relaxation during transfer periods for even the most efficient (15)N-(1)H HSQC experiments can result in more than an order of magnitude loss in sensitivity for molecules in the 100 kDa range. A relatively unexploited approach to preventing signal loss is to avoid coherence transfer steps entirely. Here we describe a scheme for multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy that relies on direct frequency encoding of a second dimension by multi-frequency decoupling during acquisition, a technique that we call MD-DIRECT. A substantial improvement in sensitivity of (15)N-(1)H correlation spectra is illustrated with application to the 21 kDa ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) labeled with (15)N in all alanine residues. Operation at 4°C mimics observation of a 50 kDa protein at 35°C.

Benchmarking NMR experiments: a relational database of protein pulse sequences

Systematic benchmarking of multi-dimensional protein NMR experiments is a critical prerequisite for optimal allocation of NMR resources for structural analysis of challenging proteins, e.g. large proteins with limited solubility or proteins prone to aggregation. We propose a set of benchmarking parameters for essential protein NMR experiments organized into a lightweight (single XML file) relational database (RDB), which includes all the necessary auxiliaries (waveforms, decoupling sequences, calibration tables, setup algorithms and an RDB management system). The database is interfaced to the Spinach library (http://spindynamics.org), which enables accurate simulation and benchmarking of NMR experiments on large spin systems. A key feature is the ability to use a single user-specified spin system to simulate the majority of deposited solution state NMR experiments, thus providing the (hitherto unavailable) unified framework for pulse sequence evaluation. This development enables predicting relative sensitivity of deposited implementations of NMR experiments, thus providing a basis for comparison, optimization and, eventually, automation of NMR analysis. The benchmarking is demonstrated with two proteins, of 170 amino acids I domain of alphaXbeta2 Integrin and 440 amino acids NS3 helicase.

Site-specific labeling of proteins with NMR-active unnatural amino acids

A large number of amino acids other than the canonical amino acids can now be easily incorporated in vivo into proteins at genetically encoded positions. The technology requires an orthogonal tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pair specific for the unnatural amino acid that is added to the media while a TAG amber or frame shift codon specifies the incorporation site in the protein to be studied. These unnatural amino acids can be isotopically labeled and provide unique opportunities for site-specific labeling of proteins for NMR studies. In this perspective, we discuss these opportunities including new photocaged unnatural amino acids, outline usage of metal chelating and spin-labeled unnatural amino acids and expand the approach to in-cell NMR experiments.

Deciphering complement mechanisms: the contributions of structural biology

Since the resolution of the first three-dimensional structure of a complement component in 1980, considerable efforts have been put into the investigation of this system through structural biology techniques, resulting in about a hundred structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank by the beginning of 2007. By revealing its mechanisms at the atomic level, these approaches significantly improve our understanding of complement, opening the way to the rational design of specific inhibitors. This review is co-authored by some of the researchers currently involved in the structural biology of complement and its purpose is to illustrate, through representative examples, how X-ray crystallography and NMR techniques help us decipher the many sophisticated mechanisms that underlie complement functions.

NMR techniques for very large proteins and rnas in solution

Three-dimensional structure determination of small proteins and oligonucleotides by solution NMR is established. With the development of novel NMR and labeling techniques, structure determination is now feasible for proteins with a molecular mass of up to approximately 100 kDa and RNAs of up to 35 kDa. Beyond these molecular masses special techniques and approaches are required for applying NMR as a multiprobe method for structural investigations of proteins and RNAs. It is the aim of this review to summarize the NMR techniques and approaches available to advance the molecular mass limit of NMR both for proteins (up to 1 MDa) and RNAs (up to 100 kDa). Physical pictures of the novel techniques, their experimental applications, as well as labeling and assignment strategies are discussed and accompanied by future perspectives.