1. Tools of the Trade 1 - Atomic resolution: X-ray crystallography 2 - NMR spectroscopy 3 - de novo Modeling and structure determination, Homology modeling 4 - CryoEM Why do we needs probes ????? Issues: 1- sample requirement 2- nature of the environment 3- Dynamics and time scales
5. Site-Directed Spin Labeling N O C H 2 S S C H 3 O O S C N H C H C N H C H C O O O N H 3 + C N H C H C N H C H C O O O N H 3 + S H C N H C H C N H C H C O O O N H 3 + S N O Side Chain R1
6. Spectral parameter Protein structure Probe spectroscopy Biggest challenge: What is the transfer function? Examples : Uncertainty principle of chemical modification: Implications: limited resolution both on the static and dynamic levels Functional analysis of labeled mutants is a REQUIREMENT
7. E lectron P aramagnetic R esonance E lectron S pin R esonance Mn +2 OH . N O R 1 R 2 . Free Radicals Ascorbate Hydroxyl Tocopherol etc. Transition Metals All that have unpaired electrons Spin Labels R 1 & R 2 chosen to provide specificity
8. Spin ½ Electron in an External Field Electron Spins Precess @ the Larmor Frequency about the External Field e = 1.76e 7 rad/sec/G
9. Approximate Energy Levels for a 14 N Nitroxide Spin Label; S =½, I=1 In general, EPR gives information on the # and nuclear spin state of nearby nuclei – coordination sphere of metal centers in in metalloproteins
11. Block Diagram of EPR Spectrometer Solids Liquids Gases High S/N Most EPR done @ X-band 9-10 GHz 3 kG Field
12. Nitroxide Reference Frame H res = [h / e g eff )] + m i A eff ( ) g eff = g xx sin 2 cos 2 g yy sin 2 sin 2 + g zz cos 2 A eff = [A xx 2 sin 2 cos 2 + A yy 2 sin 2 sin 2 + A zz 2 cos 2 ] ½ g xx = 2.0086 g yy = 2.0056 g zz = 2.0022 A xx = 7 G A yy = 6 G A zz = 34 G
13. Variation in the EPR Spectrum for a Single Nitroxide Single Crystal - x Single Crystal - y Single Crystal - z Polycrystalline Crystal Dissolved in Water
15. EPR Spectra as a Function of Rotational Correlation Time; r = 1/6D r Nitroxide in H 2 0 Small Protein - EGF Large Protein – 1 MDa r = 4 r h 3 / 3kT
16. Electron Spin-Spin Relaxation - Accessibility Nitroxide – slow relaxation T 1e ’s of isolated Nitroxide spin labels are on the order of a few sec’s at physiological temperatures
17. Electron Spin-Spin Relaxation - Accessibility Nitroxide – slow relaxation Nicklel Complexes – fast relaxation Other Transition Metals and O 2