An Electron Spin Resonance Study of DNA Dynamics Using the Slowly Relaxing Local Structure Model

Paramagnetic Chemical Probes for Studying Biological Macromolecules

Paramagnetic chemical probes have been used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for more than four decades. Recent years witnessed a great increase in the variety of probes for the study of biological macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and oligosaccharides). This Review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing paramagnetic chemical probes, including chemical synthetic approaches, functional properties, and selected applications. Recent developments have seen, in particular, a rapid expansion of the range of lanthanoid probes with anisotropic magnetic susceptibilities for the generation of structural restraints based on residual dipolar couplings and pseudocontact shifts in solution and solid state NMR spectroscopy, mostly for protein studies. Also many new isotropic paramagnetic probes, suitable for NMR measurements of paramagnetic relaxation enhancements, as well as EPR spectroscopic studies (in particular double resonance techniques) have been developed and employed to investigate biological macromolecules. Notwithstanding the large number of reported probes, only few have found broad application and further development of probes for dedicated applications is foreseen.

Modeling of motional EPR spectra using hindered Brownian rotational diffusion and the stochastic Liouville equation

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of molecular spin centers undergoing reorientational motion are commonly simulated using the stochastic Liouville equation (SLE) with a rigid-body hindered Brownian diffusion model. Current SLE theory applies to specific spin systems such as nitroxides and to high-symmetry orientational potentials. In this work, we extend the SLE theory to arbitrary spin systems with any number of spins and any type of spin Hamiltonian interaction term, as well as to arbitrarily complex orientational potentials. We also examine the limited accuracy of the frequency-to-field conversion used to obtain field-swept EPR spectra and present a more accurate approach. The extensions allow for the simulation of EPR spectra of all types of spin labels (nitroxides, copper²⁺, and gadolinium³⁺) attached to proteins in low-symmetry environments.

Local ordering and dynamics in anisotropic media by magnetic resonance: from liquid crystals to proteins

Magnetic resonance methods have been used extensively for over 50 years to elucidate molecular structure and dynamics of liquid crystals (LCs), providing information quite unique in its rigour and extent. The ESR- or NMR-active probe is often a solute molecule reporting on characteristics associated with the surrounding (LC) medium, which exerts the spatial restrictions on the probe. The theoretical approaches developed for LCs are applicable to anisotropic media in general. Of particular interest is the interior space of a globular protein labelled, e.g. with a nitroxide moiety or a ¹⁵N-¹H bond. The ESR or NMR label plays the role of the probe and the internal protein surroundings the role of the anisotropic medium. A general feature of the restricted motions is the local ordering, i.e. the nature, magnitude and symmetry of the spatial restraints exerted at the site of the moving probe. This property is the main theme of the present review article. We outline its treatment in our work from both the theoretical and the experimental points of view, highlighting the new physical insights gained. Our illustrations include studies on thermotropic (nematic and smectic) and lyotropic liquid crystals formed by phospholipids, in addition to studies of proteins.

All-atom molecular dynamics simulations of spin labelled double and single-strand DNA for EPR studies

Prediction of motional EPR spectra of spin labelled DNA structures from fully atomistic MD simulations.

Prediction of EPR Spectra of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals using a Combination of Molecular Dynamics Simulations and the Model-Free Approach

We report the first application of fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to the prediction of the motional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of lyotropic liquid crystals in different aggregation states doped with a paramagnetic spin probe. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, given that EPR spectra are highly sensitive to the motions and order of the spin probes doped within lyotropic aggregates, simulation of EPR line shapes from the results of MD modelling provides an ultimate test bed for the force fields currently employed to model such systems. Second, the EPR line shapes are simulated using the motional parameters extracted from MD trajectories using the Model-Free (MF) approach. Thus a combined MD-EPR methodology allowed us to test directly the validity of the application of the MF approach to systems with multi-component molecular motions. All-atom MD simulations using the General AMBER Force Field (GAFF) have been performed on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) liquid crystals. The resulting MD trajectories were used to predict and interpret the EPR spectra of pre-micellar, micellar, rod and lamellar aggregates. The predicted EPR spectra demonstrate good agreement with most of experimental line shapes thus confirming the validity of both the force fields employed and the MF approach for the studied systems. At the same time simulation results confirm that GAFF tends to overestimate the packing and the order of the carbonyl chains of the surfactant molecules.

Local Ordering at Mobile Sites in Proteins from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation: The Role of Site Symmetry

Restricted motions in proteins (e.g., N-H bond dynamics) are studied effectively with NMR. By analogy with restricted motions in liquid crystals (LC), the local ordering has in the past been primarily represented by potentials comprising the L = 2, |K| = 0, 2 spherical harmonics. However, probes dissolved in LCs experience nonpolar ordering, often referred to as alignment, while protein-anchored probes experience polar ordering, often referred to as orientation. In this study we investigate the role of local (site) symmetry in the context of the polarity of the local ordering. We find that potentials comprising the L = 1, |K| = 0, 1 spherical harmonics represent adequately polar ordering. It is useful to characterize potential symmetry in terms of the irreducible representations of D2h point group, which is already implicit in the definition of the rotational diffusion tensor. Thus, the relevant rhombic L = 1 potentials have B1u and B3u symmetry whereas the relevant rhombic L = 2 potentials have Ag symmetry. A comprehensive scheme where local potentials and corresponding probability density functions (PDFs) are represented in Cartesian and spherical coordinates clarifies how they are affected by polar and nonpolar ordering. The Cartesian coordinates are chosen so that the principal axis of polar axial PDF is pointing along the z-axis, whereas the principal axis of the nonpolar axial PDF is pointing along ±z. Two-term axial potentials with 1 ≤ L ≤ 3 exhibit substantial diversity; they are expected to be useful in NMR-relaxation-data-fitting. It is shown how potential coefficients are reflected in the experimental order parameters. The comprehensive scheme representing local potentials and PDFs is exemplified for the L = 2 case using experimental data from (15)N-labeled plexin-B1 and thioredoxin, (2)H-, and (13)C-labeled benzenehexa-n-alkanoates, and nitroxide-labeled T4 lysozyme. Future prospects for improved ordering analysis based on combined atomistic and mesoscopic approaches are delineated.

Protein Dynamics in the Solid State from (2)H NMR Line Shape Analysis. II. MOMD Applied to C-D and C-CD3 Probes

Deuterium line shape analysis from mobile C–D and C–CD₃ groups has emerged as a particularly useful tool for studying dynamics in the solid state. The theoretical models devised so far consist typically of sets of independent dynamic modes. Each such mode is simple and usually case-specific. In this scenario, model improvement entails adding yet another mode (thereby changing the overall model), comparison of different cases is difficult, and ambiguity is unavoidable. We recently developed the microscopic order macroscopic disorder (MOMD) approach as a single-mode alternative. In MOMD, the local spatial restrictions are expressed by an anisotropic potential, the local motion by a diffusion tensor, and the local molecular geometry by relative (magnetic and model-related) tensor orientations, all of adjustable symmetry. This approach provides a consistent method of analysis, thus resolving the issues above. In this study, we apply MOMD to PS-adsorbed LKα14 peptide and dimethylammonium tetraphenylborate (C–CD₃ and N–CD₃ dynamics, respectively), as well as HhaI methyltransferase target DNA and phase III of benzene-6-hexanoate (C–D dynamics). The success with fitting these four disparate cases, as well as the two cases in the previous report, demonstrates the generality of this MOMD-based approach. In this study, C–D and C–CD₃ are both found to execute axial diffusion (rates R_⊥ and R_∥) in the presence of a rhombic potential given by the L = 2 spherical harmonics (coefficients c₀² and c₂²). R_⊥ (R_∥) is in the 10²–10³ (10⁴–10⁵) s^–1 range, and c₀² and c₂² are on the order of 2–3 k_BT. Specific parameter values are determined for each mobile site. The diffusion and quadrupolar tensors are tilted at either 120° (consistent with trans–gauche isomerization) or nearly 110.5° (consistent with methyl exchange). Future prospects include extension of the MOMD formalism to include MAS, and application to ¹⁵N and ¹³C nuclei.

Protein dynamics in the solid state from 2H NMR line shape analysis: a consistent perspective

Deuterium line shape analysis of CD3 groups has emerged as a particularly useful tool for studying microsecond-millisecond protein motions in the solid state. The models devised so far consist of several independently conceived simple jump-type motions. They are comprised of physical quantities encoded in their simplest form; improvements are only possible by adding yet another simple motion, thereby changing the model. The various treatments developed are case-specific; hence comparison among the different systems is not possible. Here we develop a new methodology for (2)H NMR line shape analysis free of these limitations. It is based on the microscopic-order-macroscopic-disorder (MOMD) approach. In MOMD motions are described by diffusion tensors, spatial restrictions by potentials/ordering tensors, and geometric features by relative tensor orientations. Jump-type motions are recovered in the limit of large orientational potentials. Model improvement is accomplished by monitoring the magnitude, symmetry, and orientation of the various tensors. The generality of MOMD makes possible comparison among different scenarios. CD3 line shapes from the Chicken Villin Headpiece Subdomain and the Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor are used as experimental examples. All of these spectra are reproduced by using rhombic local potentials constrained for simplicity to be given by the L = 2 spherical harmonics, and by axial diffusion tensors. Potential strength and rhombicity are found to be ca. 2-3 k(B)T. The diffusion tensor is tilted at 120° from the C-CD3 axis. The perpendicular (parallel) correlation times for local motion are 0.1-1.0 ms (3.3-30 μs). Activation energies in the 1.1-8.0 kcal/mol range are estimated. Future prospects include extension to the (2)H relaxation limit, application to the (15)N and (13)C NMR nuclei, and accounting for collective motions and anisotropic media.

High-field EPR on membrane proteins - crossing the gap to NMR

In this review on advanced EPR spectroscopy, which addresses both the EPR and NMR communities, considerable emphasis is put on delineating the complementarity of NMR and EPR concerning the measurement of molecular interactions in large biomolecules. From these interactions, detailed information can be revealed on structure and dynamics of macromolecules embedded in solution- or solid-state environments. New developments in pulsed microwave and sweepable cryomagnet technology as well as ultrafast electronics for signal data handling and processing have pushed to new horizons the limits of EPR spectroscopy and its multifrequency extensions concerning the sensitivity of detection, the selectivity with respect to interactions, and the resolution in frequency and time domains. One of the most important advances has been the extension of EPR to high magnetic fields and microwave frequencies, very much in analogy to what happens in NMR. This is exemplified by referring to ongoing efforts for signal enhancement in both NMR and EPR double-resonance techniques by exploiting dynamic nuclear or electron spin polarization via unpaired electron spins and their electron-nuclear or electron-electron interactions. Signal and resolution enhancements are particularly spectacular for double-resonance techniques such as ENDOR and PELDOR at high magnetic fields. They provide greatly improved orientational selection for disordered samples that approaches single-crystal resolution at canonical g-tensor orientations - even for molecules with small g-anisotropies. Exchange of experience between the EPR and NMR communities allows for handling polarization and resolution improvement strategies in an optimal manner. Consequently, a dramatic improvement of EPR detection sensitivity could be achieved, even for short-lived paramagnetic reaction intermediates. Unique structural and dynamic information is thus revealed that can hardly be obtained by any other analytical techniques. Micromolar quantities of sample molecules have become sufficient to characterize stable and transient reaction intermediates of complex molecular systems - offering highly interesting applications for chemists, biochemists and molecular biologists. In three case studies, representative examples of advanced EPR spectroscopy are reviewed: (I) High-field PELDOR and ENDOR structure determination of cation-anion radical pairs in reaction centers from photosynthetic purple bacteria and cyanobacteria (Photosystem I); (II) High-field ENDOR and ELDOR-detected NMR spectroscopy on the oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II; and (III) High-field electron dipolar spectroscopy on nitroxide spin-labelled bacteriorhodopsin for structure-function studies. An extended conclusion with an outlook to further developments and applications is also presented.

The time correlation function perspective of NMR relaxation in proteins

We applied over a decade ago the two-body coupled-rotator slowly relaxing local structure (SRLS) approach to NMR relaxation in proteins. One rotator is the globally moving protein and the other rotator is the locally moving probe (spin-bearing moiety, typically the (15)N-(1)H bond). So far we applied SRLS to (15)N-H relaxation from seven different proteins within the scope of the commonly used data-fitting paradigm. Here, we solve the SRLS Smoluchowski equation using typical best-fit parameters as input, to obtain the corresponding generic time correlation functions (TCFs). The following new information is obtained. For actual rhombic local ordering and main ordering axis pointing along C(i-1)(α)-C(i)(α), the measurable TCF is dominated by the (K,K') = (-2,2), (2,2), and (0,2) components (K is the order of the rank 2 local ordering tensor), determined largely by the local motion. Global diffusion axiality affects the analysis significantly when the ratio between the parallel and perpendicular components exceeds approximately 1.5. Local diffusion axiality has a large and intricate effect on the analysis. Mode-coupling becomes important when the ratio between the global and local motional rates falls below 0.01. The traditional method of analysis--model-free (MF)--represents a simple limit of SRLS. The conditions under which the MF and SRLS TCFs are the same are specified. The validity ranges of wobble-in-a-cone and rotation on the surface of a cone as local motions are determined. The evolution of the intricate Smoluchowski operator from the simple diffusion operator for a sphere reorienting in isotropic medium is delineated. This highlights the fact that SRLS is an extension of the established stochastic theories for treating restricted motions. This study lays the groundwork for TCF-based comparison between mesoscopic SRLS and atomistic molecular dynamics.

General theoretical/computational tool for interpreting NMR spin relaxation in proteins

We developed in recent years the slowly relaxing local structure (SRLS) approach for analyzing NMR spin relaxation in proteins. SRLS is a two-body coupled rotator model which accounts rigorously for mode-coupling between the global motion of the protein and the local motion of the spin-bearing probe and allows for general properties of the second rank tensors involved. We showed that a general tool of data analysis requires both capabilities. Several important functionalities were missing in our previous implementations of SRLS in data fitting schemes, and in some important cases, the calculations were tedious. Here we present a general implementation which allows for asymmetric local and global diffusion tensors, distinct local ordering and local diffusion frames, and features a rhombic local potential which includes Wigner matrix element terms of ranks 2 and 4. A recently developed hydrodynamics-based approach for calculating global diffusion tensors has been incorporated into the data-fitting scheme. The computational efficiency of the latter has been increased significantly through object-oriented programming within the scope of the C++ programming language, and code parallelization. A convenient graphical user interface is provided. Currently autocorrelated (15)N spin relaxation data can be analyzed effectively. Adaptation to any autocorrelated and cross-correlated relaxation analysis is straightforward. New physical insight is gleaned on largely preserved local structure in solution, even in chain segments which experience slow local motion. Prospects associated with improved dynamic models, and new applications made possible by the current implementation of SRLS, are delineated.

Studying RNA using site-directed spin-labeling and continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

In site-directed spin-labeling (SDSL), a stable nitroxide radical is attached to a specific location within a macromolecule and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is used to interrogate the local environment surrounding the nitroxide. The SDSL strategy enables probing site-specific structural and dynamic features of RNA in solution without being limited by the size of the molecule, thus serving as a unique tool in biophysical studies of RNA. This chapter describes the use of continuous-wave (cw)-EPR to study dynamic features of RNAs as well as to monitor interactions between them. Various approaches for attaching nitroxide spin labels to nucleic acids are described, followed by detailed descriptions of cw-EPR spectral acquisition and processing procedures. Specific examples are subsequently used to illustrate analysis of EPR spectra, showing how information regarding the parent RNA can be extracted.

Structure and dynamics of a DNA-based model system for the study of electron spin-spin interactions

We report on the structure and dynamics of a model system for measuring long-range distances in biological macromolecules by saturation-recovery EPR. Four DNA duplexes that incorporate a paramagnetic dysprosium ion (Dy(III)) and a nitroxide spin-label were examined by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), circular dichroism (CD), and ultra-violet absorbance (UV) spectroscopy. Dy(III) is chelated by the modified base deoxythymidine-EDTA, (dT-EDTA). Electron spin-spin interactions between the Dy(III) ion and the nitroxide radical are observed at distances as great as approximately 5.3 nm. A slight change in the conformation of those nucleotides lying between the EDTA(Dy(III)) complex and the nitroxide spin-label results in a "stiffening" of the DNA helix on the EPR time scale. Changes in conformation and helix dynamics are due to the binding of the EDTA(Dy(III)) complex to the phosphodiester backbone of the complementary strand. Molecular mechanics calculations indicate that binding occurs in the 5' direction on the complementary strand, at a position 3 or 4 phosphates distant from the dT-EDTA(Dy(III))*dA base pair.

Water-proton relaxivities of DNA oligomers carrying TEMPO radicals

5-Uridine derivative carrying a TEMPO radical (UST) was prepared and its single strand (ssUST) and a double strand (dsUST) with its complementary strand were obtained. Similarly, single strands carrying two and five radicals (ssUST2 and ssUST5, respectively) and the corresponding double strands (dsUST2 and dsUST5) were prepared. Their electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra showed typical anisotropic broadening in the high field line. The rotational correlation times, tau(R), estimated by analyzing the EPR spectra are 1.1 x 10(-10), 5.9 x 10(-10), and 14 x 10(-10) s for UST, ssUSTm, and dsUSTm, respectively. The water-proton relaxivities, r(1) and r(2), at 25 MHz, 0.59 T, and 25 degrees C, also increased in the same order and the r(1) values were 0.26, 0.41, and 0.56 mM(-1) s(-1) for UST, ssUSTm, and dsUSTm, respectively. The r(1) values of 1.00 and 2.06 mM(-1) s(-1) for dsUST2 and dsUST5, respectively, were obtained.

Site-directed spin labeling studies on nucleic acid structure and dynamics

Site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) uses electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to monitor the behavior of a stable nitroxide radical attached at specific locations within a macromolecule such as protein, DNA, or RNA. Parameters obtained from EPR measurements, such as internitroxide distances and descriptions of the rotational motion of a nitroxide, provide unique information on features near the labeling site. With recent advances in solid-phase synthesis of nucleic acids and developments in EPR methodologies, particularly pulsed EPR technologies, SDSL has been increasingly used to study the structure and dynamics of DNA and RNA at the level of the individual nucleotides. This chapter summarizes the current SDSL studies on nucleic acids, with discussions focusing on literature from the last decade.

A novel approach to the simulation of nitroxide spin label EPR spectra from a single truncated dynamical trajectory

A simple effective method for calculation of EPR spectra from a single truncated dynamical trajectory of spin probe orientations is reported. It is shown that an accurate simulation can be achieved from the small initial fraction of a dynamical trajectory until the point when the autocorrelation function of re-orientational motion of spin label has relaxed. This substantially reduces the amount of time for spectra simulation compared to previous approaches, which require multiple full length trajectories (normally of several microseconds) to achieve the desired resolution of EPR spectra. Our method is applicable to trajectories generated from both Brownian dynamics and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. Simulations of EPR spectra from Brownian dynamical trajectories under a variety of motional conditions including bi-modal dynamics with different hopping rates between the modes are compared to those performed by conventional method. Since the relatively short timescales of spin label motions are realistically accessible by modern MD computational methods, our approach, for the first time, opens the prospect of the simulation of EPR spectra entirely from MD trajectories of real proteins structures.

Spin labeling of oligonucleotides with the nitroxide TPA and use of PELDOR, a pulse EPR method, to measure intramolecular distances

In this protocol, we describe the facile synthesis of the nitroxide spin-label 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-pyrrolin-1-oxyl-3-acetylene (TPA) and then its coupling to DNA/RNA through Sonogashira cross-coupling during automated solid-phase synthesis. Subsequently, we explain how to perform distance measurements between two such spin-labels on RNA/DNA using the pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance method pulsed electron double resonance (PELDOR). This combination of methods can be used to study global structure elements of oligonucleotides in frozen solution at RNA/DNA amounts of approximately 10 nmol. We especially focus on the Sonogashira cross-coupling step, the advantages of the ACE chemistry together with the appropriate parameters for the RNA synthesizer and on the PELDOR data analysis. This procedure is applicable to RNA/DNA strands of up to approximately 80 bases in length and PELDOR yields reliably spin-spin distances up to approximately 6.5 nm. The synthesis of TPA takes approximately 5 days and spin labeling together with purification approximately 4 days. The PELDOR measurements usually take approximately 16 h and data analysis from an hour up to several days depending on the extent of analysis.

Long-range distance determinations in biomacromolecules by EPR spectroscopy

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy provides a variety of tools to study structures and structural changes of large biomolecules or complexes thereof. In order to unravel secondary structure elements, domain arrangements or complex formation, continuous wave and pulsed EPR methods capable of measuring the magnetic dipole coupling between two unpaired electrons can be used to obtain long-range distance constraints on the nanometer scale. Such methods yield reliably and precisely distances of up to 80 A, can be applied to biomolecules in aqueous buffer solutions or membranes, and are not size limited. They can be applied either at cryogenic or physiological temperatures and down to amounts of a few nanomoles. Spin centers may be metal ions, metal clusters, cofactor radicals, amino acid radicals, or spin labels. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the different EPR spectroscopic methods, briefly describe their theoretical background, and summarize important biological applications. The main focus of this article will be on pulsed EPR methods like pulsed electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR) and their applications to spin-labeled biosystems.

Analysis of nitroxide spin label motion in a protein-protein complex using multiple frequency EPR spectroscopy

X- and W-band EPR spectra, at room and low temperatures, are reported for nitroxide spin labels attached to cysteine residues selectively introduced into two proteins, the DNase domain of colicin-E9 and its immunity protein, Im9. The dynamics of each site of attachment on the individual proteins and in the tight DNase-Im9 complex have been analysed by computer simulations of the spectra using a model of Brownian dynamics trajectories for the spin label and protein. Ordering potentials have been introduced to describe mobility of labels restricted by the protein domain. Label mobility varies with position from completely immobilised, to motionally restricted and to freely rotating. Bi-modal dynamics of the spin label have been observed for several sites. We show that W-band spectra are particularly useful for detection of anisotropy of spin label motion. On complex formation significant changes are observed in the dynamics of labels at the binding interface region. This work reveals multi-frequency EPR as a sensitive and valuable tool for detecting conformational changes in protein structure and dynamics especially in protein-protein complexes.

Static and dynamic aspects of DNA charge transfer: a theoretical perspective

In this work, we approach the impact of dynamic and static disorder on DNA charge transfer from a theoretical and numerical perspective. Disordered or defect geometries are either realized via molecular dynamics simulations using a classical force field or by experimentally determined DNA bulge structures. We apply a chemically specific, atomically resolved extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model to compute the energy parameters relevant to DNA charge transfer. For both models studied here, the effective donor-acceptor couplings--and hence the charge transfer rates--significantly depend upon the geometry. Dynamic disorder leads to a correlation time in this quantity of the order of 30 fs, and the transfer rates universally exhibit a broad, yet well-defined, exponential distribution. For DNA bulges, the angle characterizing the defect controls the charge transfer efficiency. The results are discussed and extensively compared to experimental findings and other calculations.

Application of NMR and EPR methods to the study of RNA

The application of techniques based on magnetic resonance, specifically electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), has provided a wealth of new information on RNA structures, as well as insights into the dynamics and function of these important biomolecules. NMR spectroscopy is very successful for determining the solution structures of small RNA domains, aptamers and ribozymes, and exploring their intramolecular dynamics and interactions with ligands. EPR-based methods have been used to map local dynamic and structural features of RNA, to explore different modes of RNA-ligand interaction, to obtain long-range structural restraints and to probe metal-ion-binding sites.

Synthesis and EPR Studies of 2-N-tert-Butylaminoxylpurine Derivatives

[Structure: see text] 2'-Deoxyribofuranosylpurine derivatives bearing an N-tert-butylaminoxyl group (1a and 2a) were synthesized via oxidation of the corresponding N-tert-butylhydroxylamines (1b and 2b), which were synthesized by lithiation of 8-TIPS-6-chloropurine (3) at the 2-position and the following reaction with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane. Treatment of 1b and 2b with 1 equiv of NaIO4 resulted in efficient formation of 1a and 2a, which were isolated as purple and red solids, respectively. The EPR spectra of 1a showed pH dependency due to structural change of purine moiety.

A novel view of domain flexibility in E. coli adenylate kinase based on structural mode-coupling (15)N NMR relaxation

Adenylate kinase from Escherichia coli (AKeco), consisting of a single 23.6 kDa polypeptide chain folded into domains CORE, AMPbd and LID, catalyzes the reaction AMP+ATP-->2ADP. In the ligand-free enzyme the domains AMPbd and LID execute large-amplitude movements controlling substrate binding and product release during catalysis. Domain flexibility is investigated herein with the slowly relaxing local structure (SRLS) model for (15)N relaxation. SRLS accounts rigorously for coupling between the global and local N-H motions through a local ordering potential exerted by the protein structure at the N-H bond. The latter reorients with respect to its protein surroundings, which reorient on the slower time scale associated with the global protein tumbling. AKeco diffuses globally with correlation time tau(m)=15.1 ns, while locally two different dynamic cases prevail. The domain CORE features ordering about the equilibrium N-H bond orientation with order parameters, S(2), of 0.8-0.9 and local motional correlation times, tau, mainly between 5-130 ps. This represents a conventional rigid protein structure with rapid small-amplitude N-H fluctuations. The domains AMPbd and LID feature small parallel (Z(M)) ordering of S(2)=0.2-0.5 which can be reinterpreted as high perpendicular (Y(M)) ordering. M denotes the local ordering/local diffusion frame. Local motion about Z(M) is given by tau( parallel) approximately 5 ps and local motion of the effective Z(M) axis about Y(M) by tau( perpendicular)=6-11 ns. Z(M) is tilted at approximately 20 degrees from the N-H bond. The orientation of the Y(M) axis may be considered parallel to the C(alpha)(i-1)-C(alpha)(i) axis. The tau( perpendicular) mode reflects collective nanosecond peptide-plane motions, interpretable as domain motion. A powerful new model of protein flexibility/domain motion has been established. Conformational exchange (R(ex)) processes accompany the tau( perpendicular) mode. The SRLS analysis is compared with the conventional model-free analysis.

Stratum corneum protein dynamics as evaluated by a spin-label maleimide derivative: effect of urea

The stratum corneum (SC) protein dynamics in the sulfhydryl group regions was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of a covalently attached maleimide derivative spin label. A two-state model for the nitroxide described the coexistence of two spectral components in the EPR spectra. The so-called strongly immobilized component arises from a spin-label fraction with the nitroxide moiety hydrogen-bonded to protein (rigid structure) and the weakly immobilized component is provided by the spin labels with higher mobility (approximately 10 times greater) exposed to the aqueous environment. The relative populations between these two states are in thermodynamic equilibrium. The apparent energetic gain for the nitroxide to form a hydrogen bond with the backbone rather than to be dissolved in the local environment was approximately 10 kcal/mol in the temperature range of 2-30 degrees C and approximately 6 kcal/mol in the range of 30-70 degrees C. Urea treatment caused a drastic increase in the segmental motion of the polypeptide chains that was completely reversible by its removal. Our analyses also indicated that the urea induced unfolding of the SC proteins opening the thiol group cavities. This work can also be useful to improve the spectral analysis of site-directed spin-labeling, especially for a more quantitative description of the nitroxide side chain mobility.

A spin-labeled abasic DNA substrate for AP endonuclease

We report the first observation of a spin-labeled ds 23-mer oligonucleotide by high-field electron spin resonance (ESR) and demonstrate that it interacts with AP endonuclease, the key enzyme in DNA abasic site repair. The spin labeled 23-mer with a U at position 12 of the upper strand is processed by uracil DNA glycosylase to provide the abasic substrate. With a spin-label two nucleotides away from the abasic site, AP endo binds and cleaves when the label is 3' but not 5' to the abasic site. These results confirm that the disposition of the bases immediately upstream of the abasic site is particularly critical for cleavage by AP endo, and establish that DNA-protein interactions in this important enzyme can be examined using spin-labeled substrates.

Pulsed EPR spectroscopy: biological applications

Pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods such as ESEEM, PELDOR, relaxation time measurements, transient EPR, high-field/high-frequency EPR, and pulsed ENDOR, have been used successfully to investigate the local structure and dynamics of paramagnetic centers in biological samples. These methods allow different contributions to the EPR spectra to be distinguished and can help unravel complicated EPR spectra consisting of overlapping resonance lines, as are often found in disordered protein samples. The basic principles, specific potentials, technical requirements, and limitations of these advanced EPR techniques will be reviewed together with recent applications to metal centers, organic radicals, and spin labels in proteins.

New technologies in electron spin resonance

New electron spin resonance (ESR) technologies have been developed, which have led to new and improved applications. (a) The development of two-dimensional Fourier transform (FT) ESR required spectrometers providing intense pi/2 microwave pulses of very short (3-5 ns) duration, wide bandwidths, and very short dead times. It has enabled studies that resolve sophisticated details of molecular dynamics in complex fluids. (b) Methods that produce multiple quantum coherences by pulsed ESR now enable accurate measurements of large distances (>12A). (c) One of the most important advances has been the extension of ESR to high magnetic fields and high frequencies. This has benefited from the utilization of quasi-optical methods, especially above 150 GHz. The greatly improved orientational resolution and the faster "snapshot" of motions that are provided by ESR at high frequencies enhance studies of molecular dynamics. The use of both high and lower frequencies enables one to unravel faster and slower modes from the complex dynamics of fluids and macromolecules. (d) The development of FT-ESR imaging required substantial pulsed field gradients lasting only 50-100 ns. ESR imaging is effective in studying diffusion in fluids. Areas for further development are also described.

Electron spin resonance in studies of membranes and proteins

We provide a review of current electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques for studying basic molecular mechanisms in membranes and proteins by using nitroxide spin labels. In particular, nitroxide spin label studies with high-field/high-frequency ESR and two-dimensional Fourier transform ESR enable one to accurately determine distances in biomolecules, unravel the details of the complex dynamics in proteins, characterize the dynamic structure of membrane domains, and discriminate between bulk lipids and boundary lipids that coat transmembrane peptides or proteins; these studies can also provide time resolution to studies of functional dynamics of proteins. We illustrate these capabilities with recent examples.