Name: 15n cpmg relaxation dispersion for the investigation of protein conformational dynamics on the &#181;s-ms timescale
Uploaded: 2021-04-19T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about 15N CPMG Relaxation Dispersion for the Investigation of Protein Conformational Dynamics on the Âµs-ms Timescale at JoVE.com

This work was supported by funds from NIGMS R35GM133488 and from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust to V.V.

1. Preparation of the NMR sample
<ol>
	<li>Express and purify a 2H,15N-labled sample of the protein of interest. 
	NOTE: While a 15N-labeled protein sample can be used for acquisition of the CPMG RD experiment, perdeuteration (where possible) dramatically increases the quality of the obtained data. Protocols for the production of perdeuterated proteins are available in the literature13.</li>
	<li>Buffer exchange the purified protein sample into a degassed NM...

<ol>
	<li>Anthis, N. J., Clore, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visualizing+transient+dark+states+by+NMR+spectroscopy.">Visualizing transient dark states by NMR spectroscopy.</a> Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics. 48 (1), 35-116 (2015).</li><li>Lisi, G. P., Loria, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solution+NMR+spectroscopy+for+the+study+of+enzyme+allostery.">Solution NMR spectroscopy for the study of enzyme allostery.</a> Chemical Reviews. 116 (11), 6323-6369 (2016).</li><li>Mittermaier, A., Kay, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+tools+provide+new+insights+in+NMR+studies+of+protein+dynamics.">New tools provide new insights in NMR studies of protein dynamics.</a> Science. 312 (5771), 224-228 (2006).</li><li>Venditti, V., Clore, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conformational+selection+and+substrate+binding+regulate+the+monomer/dimer+equilibrium+of+the+C-terminal+domain+of+Escherichia+coli+enzyme+I.">Conformational selection and substrate binding regulate the monomer/dimer equilibrium of the C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli enzyme I.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 287 (32), 26989-26998 (2012).</li><li>Venditti, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large+interdomain+rearrangement+triggered+by+suppression+of+micro-+to+millisecond+dynamics+in+bacterial+Enzyme+I.">Large interdomain rearrangement triggered by suppression of micro- to millisecond dynamics in bacterial Enzyme I.</a> Nature Communications. 6, 5960 (2015).</li><li>Yip, G. N., Zuiderweg, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+phase+cycle+scheme+that+significantly+suppresses+offset-dependent+artifacts+in+the+R2-CPMG+15N+relaxation+experiment.">A phase cycle scheme that significantly suppresses offset-dependent artifacts in the R2-CPMG 15N relaxation experiment.</a> Journal of Magnetic Resonance. 171 (1), 25-36 (2004).</li><li>Mulder, F. A., Skrynnikov, N. R., Hon, B., Dahlquist, F. W., Kay, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+slow+(micros-ms)+time+scale+dynamics+in+protein+side+chains+by+(15)N+relaxation+dispersion+NMR+spectroscopy:+application+to+Asn+and+Gln+residues+in+a+cavity+mutant+of+T4+lysozyme.">Measurement of slow (micros-ms) time scale dynamics in protein side chains by (15)N relaxation dispersion NMR spectroscopy: application to Asn and Gln residues in a cavity mutant of T4 lysozyme.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 123 (5), 967-975 (2001).</li><li>Loria, J. P., Rance, M., Palmer, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+TROSY+CPMG+sequence+for+characterizing+chemical+exchange+in+large+proteins.">A TROSY CPMG sequence for characterizing chemical exchange in large proteins.</a> Journal of Biomolecular NMR. 15 (2), 151-155 (1999).</li><li>Dotas, R. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hybrid+thermophilic/mesophilic+enzymes+reveal+a+role+for+conformational+disorder+in+regulation+of+bacterial+Enzyme+I.">Hybrid thermophilic/mesophilic enzymes reveal a role for conformational disorder in regulation of bacterial Enzyme I.</a> Journal of Molecular Biology. 432 (16), 4481-4498 (2020).</li><li>Purslow, J. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Active+site+breathing+of+human+Alkbh5+revealed+by+solution+NMR+and+accelerated+molecular+dynamics.">Active site breathing of human Alkbh5 revealed by solution NMR and accelerated molecular dynamics.</a> Biophysical Journal. 115, 1895-1905 (2018).</li><li>Loria, J. P., Rance, M., Palmer, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+relaxation-compensated+Carr&#8722;Purcell&#8722;Meiboom&#8722;Gill+sequence+for+characterizing+chemical+exchange+by+NMR+Spectroscopy.">A relaxation-compensated Carr&#8722;Purcell&#8722;Meiboom&#8722;Gill sequence for characterizing chemical exchange by NMR Spectroscopy.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 121 (10), 2331-2332 (1999).</li><li>Hansen, D. F., Vallurupalli, P., Kay, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+improved+15N+relaxation+dispersion+experiment+for+the+measurement+of+millisecond+time-scale+dynamics+in+proteins.">An improved 15N relaxation dispersion experiment for the measurement of millisecond time-scale dynamics in proteins.</a> Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 112 (19), 5898-5904 (2008).</li><li>Tugarinov, V., Kanelis, V., Kay, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isotope+labeling+strategies+for+the+study+of+high-molecular-weight+proteins+by+solution+NMR+spectroscopy.">Isotope labeling strategies for the study of high-molecular-weight proteins by solution NMR spectroscopy.</a> Nature Protocols. 1 (2), 749-754 (2006).</li><li>Niklasson, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comprehensive+analysis+of+NMR+data+using+advanced+line+shape+fitting.">Comprehensive analysis of NMR data using advanced line shape fitting.</a> Journal of Biomolecular NMR. 69, 93-99 (2017).</li><li>Palmer, A. G., Kroenke, C. D., Loria, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclear+magnetic+resonance+methods+for+quantifying+microsecond-to-millisecond+motions+in+biological+macromolecules.">Nuclear magnetic resonance methods for quantifying microsecond-to-millisecond motions in biological macromolecules.</a> Methods in Enzymology. 339, 204-238 (2001).</li><li>Tollinger, M., Skrynnikov, N. R., Mulder, F. A., Forman-Kay, J. D., Kay, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Slow+dynamics+in+folded+and+unfolded+states+of+an+SH3+domain.">Slow dynamics in folded and unfolded states of an SH3 domain.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 123, 11341-11352 (2001).</li><li>Carver, J. P., Richards, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+general+two-site+solution+for+the+chemical+exchange+produced+dependence+of+T2+upon+the+Carr-Purcell+pulse+separation.">A general two-site solution for the chemical exchange produced dependence of T2 upon the Carr-Purcell pulse separation.</a> Journal of Magnetic Resonance. 6 (1), 89-105 (1972).</li><li>Egner, T. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surface+Contrast'+NMR+Reveals+Non-innocent+Role+of+Support+in+Pd/CeO2+Catalyzed+Phenol+Hydrogenation.">Surface Contrast' NMR Reveals Non-innocent Role of Support in Pd/CeO2 Catalyzed Phenol Hydrogenation.</a> ChemCatChem. 12 (6), 4160-4166 (2020).</li><li>Egner, T. K., Naik, P., Nelson, N. C., Slowing, I. I., Venditti, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanistic+Insight+into+Nanoparticle+Surface+Adsorption+by+Solution+NMR+Spectroscopy+in+an+Aqueous+Gel.">Mechanistic Insight into Nanoparticle Surface Adsorption by Solution NMR Spectroscopy in an Aqueous Gel.</a> Angewandte Chemie (International Edition in English). 56, 9802-9806 (2017).</li><li>Tugarinov, V., Libich, D. S., Meyer, V., Roche, J., Clore, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+energetics+of+a+three-state+protein+folding+system+probed+by+high-pressure+relaxation+dispersion+NMR+spectroscopy.">The energetics of a three-state protein folding system probed by high-pressure relaxation dispersion NMR spectroscopy.</a> Angewandte Chemie (International Edition in English). 54, 11157-11161 (2015).</li><li>Korzhnev, D. M., Kloiber, K., Kanelis, V., Tugarinov, V., Kay, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Probing+slow+dynamics+in+high+molecular+weight+proteins+by+methyl-TROSY+NMR+spectroscopy:+application+to+a+723-residue+enzyme.">Probing slow dynamics in high molecular weight proteins by methyl-TROSY NMR spectroscopy: application to a 723-residue enzyme.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 126 (12), 3964-3973 (2004).</li><li>Mayzel, M., Ahlner, A., Lundstrom, P., Orekhov, V. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+protein+backbone+(13)CO+and+(15)N+relaxation+dispersion+at+high+resolution.">Measurement of protein backbone (13)CO and (15)N relaxation dispersion at high resolution.</a> Journal of Biomolecular NMR. 69, 1-12 (2017).</li><li>Pritchard, R. B., Hansen, D. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterising+side+chains+in+large+proteins+by+protonless+(13)C-detected+NMR+spectroscopy.">Characterising side chains in large proteins by protonless (13)C-detected NMR spectroscopy.</a> Nature Communications. 10, 1747 (2019).</li></ol>

This manuscript describes the protocol implemented in the laboratory for acquisition and analysis of 15N RD data on proteins. In particular, the crucial steps for preparation of the NMR sample, measurement of the NMR data, and analysis of the RD profiles are covered. Below some important aspects regarding the acquisition and analysis of RD experiments are discussed. However, for a more in-depth description of the experiment and data analysis, careful studying of the original literature is highly recommended<su...

Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) relaxation dispersion (RD) experiments are used on a routine base to characterize conformational equilibria occurring on the &#181;s-ms timescale by solution NMR spectroscopy1,2,3,4,5. Compared to other methods for investigation of conformational dynamics, CPMG techniques are relatively easy to implement on modern NMR spectrometers, do not require specialized sample preparation steps (i.e., crystallization, sample freezing or alignment, and/or covalent conjugation with a fluorescent or paramagnetic tag), and provide a comprehensive characterization of conformational equilibria returning structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic information on exchange processes. In order for a CPMG experiment to report on a conformational equilibrium, two conditions must apply: (i) the observed NMR spins must possess different chemical shifts in the states undergoing conformational exchange (microstates) and (ii) the exchange has to occur at a time scale ranging from ~50 &#181;s to ~10 ms. Under these conditions, the observed transverse relaxation rate (<img alt="Equation 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/62395/62395eq01v2.jpg" />) is the sum of the intrinsic R2 (the R2 measured in the absence of &#181;s-ms dynamics, <img alt="Equation 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/62395/62395eq02v3.jpg" />) and the exchange contribution to the transverse relaxation (Rex). The Rex contribution to R2obs can be progressively quenched by reducing the spacing between the 180&#176; pulses constituting the CPMG block of the pulse sequence, and the resulting RD curves can be modeled using the Bloch-McConnell theory to obtain the chemical shift difference among microstates, the fractional population of each microstate, and the rates of exchange among microstates (Figure 1)1,2,3.
Several different pulse sequences and analysis protocols have been reported in the literature for 15N CPMG experiments. Herein, the protocol implemented in the laboratory is described. In particular, the crucial steps for preparation of the NMR sample, set up and acquisition of the NMR experiments, and processing and analysis of the NMR data will be introduced (Figure 2). To facilitate transfer of the protocol to other laboratories, the pulse program, processing and analysis scripts, and one example dataset are provided as Supplemental Files and are available for download at (https://group.chem.iastate.edu/Venditti/downloads.html). The provided pulse sequence incorporates a four-step phase cycle in the CPMG block for suppression of offset-dependent artifacts6 and it is coded for acquisition of several interleaved experiments. These interleaved experiments have an identical relaxation period but different numbers of refocusing pulses in order to achieve different CPMG fields7. It is also important to notice that the described pulse program measures the 15N R2 of the TROSY component of the NMR signal8. Overall, the protocol has been successfully applied for the characterization of conformational exchange in medium and large-sized proteins4,5,9,10. For smaller systems (&#60;20 kDa), the use of an Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence (HSQC)-based pulse sequence11,12 is advisable.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Cryoprobe</td>
			<td>Bruker</td>
			<td>5mm TCI 800 H-C/N-D cryoprobe</td>
			<td>Improve sensitivity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Deuterium Oxide</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>756822-1</td>
			<td>&#62;99.8% pure, utilised in preparing NMR samples and deuterated cultures</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hand driven centrifuge</td>
			<td>United Scientific supply</td>
			<td>CENTFG1</td>
			<td>Used to remove any air bubbles or residual liquid stuck on the walls of NMR tube.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Field NMR spectrometer</td>
			<td>Bruker</td>
			<td>Bruker Avance II 600, Bruker Avance 800</td>
			<td>acquisition of the NMR data</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MATLAB</td>
			<td>MathWorks</td>
			<td>https://www.mathworks.com/products/get-matlab.html</td>
			<td>Modeling of the NMR data</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NMR pasteur Pipette</td>
			<td>Corning Incorporation</td>
			<td>7095D-NMR</td>
			<td>Pyrex glass pastuer pipette to transfer liquid sample in NMR tube</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NMR tube</td>
			<td>Willmad Precision</td>
			<td>535-PP-7</td>
			<td>5mm thin wall 7&#39;&#39; cylinderical glass tube</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NMRPipe</td>
			<td>Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnology research</td>
			<td>https://www.ibbr.umd.edu/nmrpipe/install.html</td>
			<td>NMR data processing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SPARKY</td>
			<td>University of California, San Francisco</td>
			<td>https://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/home/sparky/</td>
			<td>Analysis of the NMR data</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tospin 3.2 (or newer)</td>
			<td>Bruker</td>
			<td>https://www.bruker.com/protected/en/services/software-downloads/nmr/pc/pc-topspin.html</td>
			<td>acquisition software</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

15n cpmg relaxation dispersion for the investigation of protein conformational dynamics on the &#181;s-ms timescale

Protein conformational dynamics play fundamental roles in regulation of enzymatic catalysis, ligand binding, allostery, and signaling, which are important biological processes. Understanding how the balance between structure and dynamics governs biological function is a new frontier in modern structural biology and has ignited several technical and methodological developments. Among these, CPMG relaxation dispersion solution NMR methods provide unique, atomic-resolution information on the structure, kinetics, and thermodynamics of protein conformational equilibria occurring on the &#181;s-ms timescale. Here, the study presents detailed protocols for acquisition and analysis of a&#160;15N relaxation dispersion experiment. As an example, the pipeline for the analysis of the &#181;s-ms dynamics in the C-terminal domain of bacteria Enzyme I is shown.

The protocol described here results in acquisition of RD profiles for each peak in the 1H-15N TROSY spectrum (Figure 3A). From the acquired RD profiles, it is possible to estimate the exchange contribution to the 15N transverse relaxation of each backbone amide group (Figure 3A,3B). By plotting the Rex on the 3D structure of the protein under investigation, it is possible to identify the structural reg...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about 15N CPMG Relaxation Dispersion for the Investigation of Protein Conformational Dynamics on the Âµs-ms Timescale at JoVE.com

15N CPMG Relaxation Dispersion for the Investigation of Protein Conformational Dynamics on the  &#181;s-ms Timescale

Here, a detailed description of the protocol implemented in the laboratory for acquisition and analysis of 15N relaxation dispersion profiles by solution NMR spectroscopy is provided.

15N CPMG Relaxation Dispersion for the Investigation of Protein Conformational Dynamics on the &#181;s-ms Timescale

Protein conformational dynamics play fundamental roles in regulation of enzymatic catalysis, ligand binding, allostery, and signaling, which are important ...

This protocol can be used for detection and characterization of protein conformational dynamics, which are essential for understanding a large variety of cellular processes. Compared to other methods, this method does not require specialized sample preparation steps and provides in comprehensive characterization of the kinetics, thermodynamics, and structural aspects of confirmational equilibrium. CPMG relaxation dispersion can be applied more widely for the characterization of confirmational dynamics in nucleic acids and other biomolecules, as well as for the characterization of ligand nanoparticle interactions.Our protocol is aimed at first-time CPMG users. So it is a good starting point. However, we do expect users to know the basic steps for running conventional NMR experiments.To set up an NMR experiment for the first time, first download and unzip these supplemental files. Copy the Bits. vv and trosy_15N_CPMG.vv files in the pulse program folder to the pulse program directory. Open the acquisition software and use the EDC command to copy a previously run hydrogen nitrogen 15 HSQC experiment into a new experiment. Use the pulse program command to load the trosy_15N_CPMG.vv pulse program file into the newly created experiment. Then use the instructions from the end of the pulse program file to set up the CPMG experiment. To set up a routine NMR experiment, introduce the sample to the magnet and perform all of the basic NMR acquisition steps.Set P1 to the duration of the hydrogen hard 90 degree pulses and P7 to the duration nitrogen 15 hard 90 degree pulses. In the acquisition window, set the center and spectral width for the hydrogen and nitrogen 15 dimensions. Set the relaxation delay to 0.7 T2 and use the VC list command to create a list of integer numbers corresponding to N.After confirming that each entry in the list corresponds to a different CPMG field according to CPMG filed equals times 4N divided by D30, check that the first number in the list is zero.Set L8 to the number of entries in the VC list, L3 to the number of real points for the indirect dimension, and 1TD to L8 times L3 times two. To optimize the water suppression, set the receiver gain to one and type EDC pull to open the pulse program file. On line 91, remove the semi-colon preceding goto 999, and save the file.Using the GS command, adjust the SPDB0 parameters to minimize the intensity of the FID signal. When the signal intensity has been modified, reintroduce a semi-colon at line 91 of the pulse program file and save the file. To optimize SPDB11, set the receiver gain to one and the type EDC pull to open the pulse program file.On line 168, remove the semi-colon preceding goto 999, and save the file. Using the GS command, adjust the SPDB11 parameters to minimize the intensity of the FID signal. When the signal intensity has been modified, reintroduce the semi-colon at line 168 and save the file.To optimize SPDB2, set the receiver gain to one and enter EDC pull to open the pulse program file. On line 179, remove the semi-colon preceding goto 999, and save the file. Using the GS command, adjust the SPDB2 parameters to minimize the intensity of the FID signal.When the signal intensity has been modified, re-introduce the semi-colon at line 179 of the pulse program file and save the file. To optimize PLDB2, set the receiver gain to one and enter EDC pull to open the pulse program file. On line 184, remove the semi-colon preceding goto 999, and save the file.Using the GS command, adjust the PLDB2 parameters to minimize the intensity of the FID signal. When the signal intensity has been modified, reintroduce the semi-colon at line 184 of the pulse program file and save the file. Run the RGA command to optimize the receiver gain.Then run the ZG command to start the experiment. In this figure, the results of the relaxation dispersion profiles acquired for each peak in the hydrogen nitrogen 15 Trosy spectrum can be observed. From the acquired relaxation dispersion profiles, it's possible to estimate the exchange contribution to the nitrogen 15 transverse relaxation of each backbone AMI group.By plotting the transverse relaxation on the 3D structure of the protein under investigation it's possible to identify the structural regions undergoing confirmational exchange on the microsecond millisecond timescale. Modeling of the relaxation dispersion curves using the Carver-Richards equations returns the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters on the exchange process, such as the fractional populations of the states in equilibrium and the rate of exchange among these states. The temperature dependence of these thermodynamic and kinetic parameters can then be modeled using the van't Hoff and I-ring equations, respectively, to obtain detailed information on the energetics of the confirmational exchange.It is crucial to carefully optimize all of the acquisition parameters, in particular P7.It is also important to produce highly pure and homogenous samples to avoid spurious dispersions. The kinetic, thermodynamic, and chemical chip parameters obtained using this protocol can be used to derive energetic and structural information about the species undergoing the confirmational exchange. Characterization of the protein confirmational dynamics obtained by CPMG methods provides crucial information towards understanding signaling and enzymatic activity, as well as new perspectives for drug design.

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Biochemistry

Using Scaffold Liposomes to Reconstitute Lipid-proximal Protein-protein Interactions In Vitro

Studies of integral membrane proteins in vitro are frequently complicated by the presence of a hydrophobic transmembrane domain. Further complicating these studies, reincorporation of detergent-solubilized membrane proteins into liposomes is a stochastic process where protein topology is impossible to enforce. This paper offers an alternative method to these challenging techniques that utilizes a liposome-based scaffold. Protein solubility is enhanced by deletion of the transmembrane domain, and these amino acids are replaced with a tethering moiety, such as a His-tag. This tether interacts with an anchoring group (Ni2+ coordinated by nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA(Ni2+)) for His-tagged proteins), which enforces a uniform protein topology at the surface of the liposome. An example is presented wherein the interaction between Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) with an integral membrane protein, Mitochondrial Fission Factor (Mff), was investigated using this scaffold liposome method. In this work, we have demonstrated the ability of Mff to efficiently recruit soluble Drp1 to the surface of liposomes, which stimulated its GTPase activity. Moreover, Drp1 was able to tubulate the Mff-decorated lipid template in the presence of specific lipids. This example demonstrates the effectiveness of scaffold liposomes using structural and functional assays and highlights the role of Mff in regulating Drp1 activity.

Using Scaffold Liposomes to Reconstitute Lipid-proximal Protein-protein Interactions In Vitro

This paper describes a method for assessing the interactions and assemblies of integral membrane proteins in vitro with various partner factors in a lipid-proximal environment.

Studies of integral membrane proteins in vitro are frequently complicated by the presence of a hydrophobic transmembrane domain. Further complicating ...

Time-resolved ElectroSpray Ionization Hydrogen-deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry for Studying Protein Structure and Dynamics

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have long been a challenge to structural biologists due to their lack of stable secondary structure elements. Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange (HDX) measured at rapid time scales is uniquely suited to detect structures and hydrogen bonding networks that are briefly populated, allowing for the characterization of transient conformers in native ensembles. Coupling of HDX to mass spectrometry offers several key advantages, including high sensitivity, low sample consumption and no restriction on protein size. This technique has advanced greatly in the last several decades, including the ability to monitor HDX labeling times on the millisecond time scale. In addition, by incorporating the HDX workflow onto a microfluidic platform housing an acidic protease microreactor, we are able to localize dynamic properties at the peptide level. In this study, Time-Resolved ElectroSpray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TRESI-MS) coupled to HDX was used to provide a detailed picture of residual structure in the tau protein, as well as the conformational shifts induced upon hyperphosphorylation.

Conformational flexibility plays a critical role in protein function. Herein, we describe the use of time-resolved electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled to hydrogen-deuterium exchange for probing the rapid structural changes that drive function in ordered and disordered proteins.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have long been a challenge to structural biologists due to their lack of stable secondary structure elements. ...

A Simple Method for High Throughput Chemical Screening in Caenorhabditis Elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful organism for testing chemical effects on physiology. Whole organism small molecule screens offer significant advantages for identifying biologically active chemical structures that can modify complex phenotypes such as lifespan. Described here is a simple protocol for producing hundreds of 96-well culture plates with fairly consistent numbers of C. elegans in each well. Next, we specified how to use these cultures to screen thousands of chemicals for effects on the lifespan of the nematode C. elegans. This protocol makes use of temperature sensitive sterile strains, agar plate conditions, and simple animal handling to facilitate the rapid and high throughput production of synchronized animal cultures for screening.

A Simple Method for High Throughput Chemical Screening in Caenorhabditis Elegans

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Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful organism for testing chemical effects on physiology. Whole organism small molecule screens offer significant advantages ...

Defining Hsp33's Redox-regulated Chaperone Activity and Mapping Conformational Changes on Hsp33 Using Hydrogen-deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Living organisms regularly need to cope with fluctuating environments during their life cycle, including changes in temperature, pH, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and more. These fluctuations can lead to a widespread protein unfolding, aggregation, and cell death. Therefore, cells have evolved a dynamic and stress-specific network of molecular chaperones, which maintain a "healthy" proteome during stress conditions. ATP-independent chaperones constitute one major class of molecular chaperones, which serve as first-line defense molecules, protecting against protein aggregation in a stress-dependent manner. One feature these chaperones have in common is their ability to utilize structural plasticity for their stress-specific activation, recognition, and release of the misfolded client. 
In this paper, we focus on the functional and structural analysis of one such intrinsically disordered chaperone, the bacterial redox-regulated Hsp33, which protects proteins against aggregation during oxidative stress. Here, we present a toolbox of diverse techniques for studying redox-regulated chaperone activity, as well as for mapping conformational changes of the chaperone, underlying its activity. Specifically, we describe a workflow which includes the preparation of fully reduced and fully oxidized proteins, followed by an analysis of the chaperone anti-aggregation activity in vitro using light-scattering, focusing on the degree of the anti-aggregation activity and its kinetics. To overcome frequent outliers accumulated during aggregation assays, we describe the usage of Kfits, a novel graphical tool which allows easy processing of kinetic measurements. This tool can be easily applied to other types of kinetic measurements for removing outliers and fitting kinetic parameters. To correlate the function with the protein structure, we describe the setup and workflow of a structural mass spectrometry technique, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, that allows the mapping of conformational changes on the chaperone and substrate during different stages of Hsp33 activity. The same methodology can be applied to other protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions.

One of the most challenging stress conditions that organisms encounter during their lifetime involves the accumulation of oxidants. During oxidative stress, cells heavily rely on molecular chaperones. Here, we present methods used to investigate the redox-regulated anti-aggregation activity, as well as to monitor structural changes governing the chaperone function using HDX-MS.

Living organisms regularly need to cope with fluctuating environments during their life cycle, including changes in temperature, pH, the accumulation of ...

Proteome-wide Quantification of Labeling Homogeneity at the Single Molecule Level

Cell proteomes are often characterized using electrophoresis assays, where all species of proteins in the cells are non-specifically labeled with a fluorescent dye and are spotted by a photodetector following their separation. Single molecule fluorescence imaging can provide ultrasensitive protein detection with its ability for visualizing individual fluorescent molecules. However, the application of this powerful imaging method to electrophoresis assays is hampered by the lack of ways to characterize the homogeneity of fluorescent labeling of each protein species across the proteome. Here, we developed a method to evaluate the labeling homogeneity across the proteome based on a single molecule fluorescence imaging assay. In our measurement using a HeLa cell sample, the proportion of proteins labeled with at least one dye, which we termed &#8216;labeling occupancy&#8217; (LO), was determined to range from 50% to 90%, supporting the high potential of the application of single molecule imaging to sensitive and precise proteome analysis.

Here, we present a protocol to assess the labeling homogeneity for each protein species in a complex protein sample at the single molecule level.

Cell proteomes are often characterized using electrophoresis assays, where all species of proteins in the cells are non-specifically labeled with a ...

Visualizing Surface T-Cell Receptor Dynamics Four-Dimensionally Using Lattice Light-Sheet Microscopy

The signaling and function of a cell are dictated by the dynamic structures and interactions of its surface receptors. To truly understand the structure-function relationship of these receptors in situ, we need to visualize and track them on the live cell surface with enough spatiotemporal resolution. Here we show how to use recently developed Lattice Light-Sheet Microscopy (LLSM) to image T-cell receptors (TCRs) four-dimensionally (4D, space and time) at the live cell membrane. T cells are one of the main effector cells of the adaptive immune system, and here we used T cells as an example to show that the signaling and function of these cells are driven by the dynamics and interactions of the TCRs. LLSM allows for 4D imaging with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. This microscopy technique therefore can be generally applied to a wide array of surface or intracellular molecules of different cells in biology.

The goal of this protocol is to show how to use Lattice Light-Sheet Microscopy to four-dimensionally visualize surface receptor dynamics in live cells. Here T cell receptors on CD4+ primary T cells are shown.

The signaling and function of a cell are dictated by the dynamic structures and interactions of its surface receptors. To truly understand the ...

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

The adhesion and spreading of cells onto the extracellular matrix (ECM) are essential cellular processes during organismal development and for the homeostasis of adult tissues. Interestingly, oxidative stress can alter these processes, thus contributing to the pathophysiology of diseases such as metastatic cancer. Therefore, understanding the mechanism(s) of how cells attach and spread on the ECM during perturbations in redox status can provide insight into normal and disease states. Described below is a step-wise protocol that utilizes an immunofluorescence-based assay to specifically quantify cell adhesion and spreading of immortalized fibroblast cells on fibronectin (FN) in vitro. Briefly, anchorage-dependent cells are held in suspension and exposed to the ATM kinase inhibitor Ku55933 to induce oxidative stress. Cells are then plated on FN-coated surface and allowed to attach for predetermined periods of time. Cells that remain attached are fixed and labeled with fluorescence-based antibody markers of adhesion (e.g., paxillin) and spreading (e.g., F-actin). Data acquisition and analysis are performed using commonly available laboratory equipment, including an epifluorescence microscope and freely available Fiji software. This procedure is highly versatile and can be modified for a variety of cell lines, ECM proteins, or inhibitors in order to examine a broad range of biological questions.

This method is useful for quantifying the early dynamics of cellular adhesion and spreading of anchorage-dependent cells onto the fibronectin. Furthermore, this assay can be used to investigate the effects of altered redox homeostasis on cell spreading and/or cell adhesion-related intracellular signaling pathways.

The adhesion and spreading of cells onto the extracellular matrix (ECM) are essential cellular processes during organismal development and for the ...

Practical Aspects of Sample Preparation and Setup of 1H R1&#961; Relaxation Dispersion Experiments of RNA

RNA is a highly flexible biomolecule, wherein changes in structures play crucial roles in the functions that RNA molecules execute as cellular messengers and modulators. While these dynamic states remain hidden to most structural methods, R1&#961; relaxation dispersion (RD) spectroscopy allows the study of conformational dynamics in the micro- to millisecond regime at atomic resolution. The use of 1H as the observed nucleus further expands the time regime covered and gives direct access to hydrogen bonds and base pairing.
The challenging steps in such a study are high-purity and high-yield sample preparation, potentially 13C- and 15N-labeled, as well as setup of experiments and fitting of data to extract population, exchange rate, and secondary structure of the previously invisible state. This protocol provides crucial hands-on steps in sample preparation to ensure the preparation of a suitable RNA sample and setup of 1H R1&#961; experiments with both isotopically labeled and unlabeled RNA samples.

We present a protocol to measure micro- to millisecond dynamics on 13C/15N-labeled and unlabeled RNA with 1H R1&#961; relaxation dispersion nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The focus of this protocol lies in high-purity sample preparation and setup of NMR experiments.

RNA is a highly flexible biomolecule, wherein changes in structures play crucial roles in the functions that RNA molecules execute as cellular messengers ...

Utilizing Time-Resolved Protein-Induced Fluorescence Enhancement to Identify Stable Local Conformations One &#945;-Synuclein Monomer at a Time

Using spectroscopic rulers to track multiple conformations of single biomolecules and their dynamics have revolutionized the understanding of structural dynamics and its contributions to biology. While the FRET-based ruler reports on inter-dye distances in the 3-10 nm range, other spectroscopic techniques, such as protein-induced fluorescence enhancement (PIFE), report on the proximity between a dye and a protein surface in the shorter 0-3 nm range. Regardless of the method of choice, its use in measuring freely-diffusing biomolecules one at a time retrieves histograms of the experimental parameter yielding separate centrally-distributed sub-populations of biomolecules, where each sub-population represents either a single conformation that stayed unchanged within milliseconds, or multiple conformations that interconvert much faster than milliseconds, and hence an averaged-out sub-population. In single-molecule FRET, where the reported parameter in histograms is the inter-dye FRET efficiency, an intrinsically disordered protein, such as the &#945;-Synuclein monomer in buffer, was previously reported as exhibiting a single averaged-out sub-population of multiple conformations interconverting rapidly. While these past findings depend on the 3-10 nm range of the FRET-based ruler, we sought to put this protein to the test using single-molecule PIFE, where we track the fluorescence lifetime of site-specific sCy3-labeled &#945;-Synuclein proteins one at a time. Interestingly, using this shorter range spectroscopic proximity sensor, sCy3-labeled &#945;-Synuclein exhibits several lifetime sub-populations with distinctly different mean lifetimes that interconvert in 10-100 ms. These results show that while &#945;-Synuclein might be disordered globally, it nonetheless attains stable local structures. In summary, in this work we highlight the advantage of using different spectroscopic proximity sensors that track local or global structural changes one biomolecule at a time.

Time-resolved single-molecule protein-induced fluorescence enhancement is a useful fluorescence spectroscopic proximity sensor sensitive to local structural changes in proteins. Here we show it can be used to uncover stable local conformations in &#945;-Synuclein, which is otherwise known as globularly unstructured and unstable when measured using the longer range FRET ruler.

Using spectroscopic rulers to track multiple conformations of single biomolecules and their dynamics have revolutionized the understanding of structural ...

High-Pressure NMR Experiments for Detecting Protein Low-Lying Conformational States

High-pressure is a well-known perturbation method that can be used to destabilize globular proteins and dissociate protein complexes in a reversible manner. Hydrostatic pressure drives thermodynamical equilibria toward the state(s) with the lower molar volume. Increasing pressure offers, therefore, the opportunities to finely tune the stability of globular proteins and the oligomerization equilibria of protein complexes. High-pressure NMR experiments allow a detailed characterization of the factors governing the stability of globular proteins, their folding mechanisms, and oligomerization mechanisms by combining the fine stability tuning ability of pressure perturbation and the site resolution offered by solution NMR spectroscopy. Here we present a protocol to probe the local folding stability of a protein via a set of 2D 1H-15N experiments recorded from 1 bar to 2.5 kbar. The steps required for the acquisition and analysis of such experiments are illustrated with data acquired on the RRM2 domain of hnRNPA1.

We provide a detailed description of the steps required to assemble a high-pressure cell, set up and record high-pressure NMR experiments, and finally analyze both peak intensity and chemical shift changes under pressure. These experiments can provide valuable insights into the folding pathways and structural stability of proteins.

High-pressure is a well-known perturbation method that can be used to destabilize globular proteins and dissociate protein complexes in a reversible ...