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Solution NMR of supramolecular complexes: providing new insights into function

Nature Methods volume 4, pages 697–703 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Solution NMR spectroscopy is an extremely powerful technology for the study of biomolecular dynamics and site-specific molecular interactions. An important limitation in the past has been molecule size, with molecular weights of targets seldom exceeding 50 kDa. New labeling technology and NMR experiments are changing this paradigm so that applications for investigating supramolecular complexes are starting to become feasible. Here we describe a strategy developed in our laboratory that involves the use of labeled methyl groups of isoleucine, leucine and valine residues in proteins as probes, along with experiments that significantly enhance the lifetimes of the resulting signals. We describe the application of these methods to a number of systems with molecular weights in the hundreds of kilodaltons.

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Figure 1: Methyl labeling strategy.
Figure 2: Relaxation and methyl-TROSY.
Figure 3: Ligand binding to ATCase.
Figure 4: Molecular dynamics in the ClpP protease.
Figure 5
Figure 6: Assignment strategy for the 20S proteasome and subsequent studies of interactions and dynamics.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). R.S. and A.V. acknowledge post-doctoral support from a CIHR training grant in protein folding and disease and a CIHR post-doctoral fellowship, respectively. L.E.K. is the recipient of a Canada Research Chair in Biochemistry.

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  1. Departments of Medical Genetics, Biochemistry and Chemistry, The University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Ontario, Canada

    Remco Sprangers, Algirdas Velyvis & Lewis E Kay

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  1. Remco Sprangers
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Correspondence to Lewis E Kay.

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Sprangers, R., Velyvis, A. & Kay, L. Solution NMR of supramolecular complexes: providing new insights into function. Nat Methods 4, 697–703 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth1080

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