In-Cell Protein Structures from 2D NMR Experiments

J Phys Chem Lett. 2016 Jul 21;7(14):2821-5. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b01074. Epub 2016 Jul 12.

Abstract

In-cell NMR spectroscopy provides atomic resolution insights into the structural properties of proteins in cells, but it is rarely used to solve entire protein structures de novo. Here, we introduce a paramagnetic lanthanide-tag to simultaneously measure protein pseudocontact shifts (PCSs) and residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) to be used as input for structure calculation routines within the Rosetta program. We employ this approach to determine the structure of the protein G B1 domain (GB1) in intact Xenopus laevis oocytes from a single set of 2D in-cell NMR experiments. Specifically, we derive well-defined GB1 ensembles from low concentration in-cell NMR samples (∼50 μM) measured at moderate magnetic field strengths (600 MHz), thus offering an easily accessible alternative for determining intracellular protein structures.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Lanthanoid Series Elements / chemistry
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular*
  • Oocytes / chemistry
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Xenopus laevis / growth & development

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • IgG Fc-binding protein, Streptococcus
  • Lanthanoid Series Elements