Biomedical subjects

Henrike Heise

Publications and source records attributed to Henrike Heise.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Molecular-level secondary structure, polymorphism, and dynamics of full-length alpha-synuclein fibrils studied by solid-state NMR.

The 140-residue protein alpha-synuclein (AS) is able to form amyloid fibrils and as such is the main component of protein inclusions involved in Parkinson's disease. We have investigated the structure and dynamics of full-length AS fibrils by high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Homonuclear and heteronuclear 2D and 3D spectra of fibrils grown from uniformly (13)C/(15)N-labeled AS and AS reverse-labeled for two of the most abundant amino acids, K and V, were analyzed. (13)C and (15)N signals exhibited linewidths of <0.7 ppm. Sequential assignments were obtained for 48 residues in the hydrophobic core region. We identified two different types of fibrils displaying chemical-shift differences of up to 13 ppm in the (15)N dimension and up to 5 ppm for backbone and side-chain (13)C chemical shifts. EM studies suggested that molecular structure is correlated with fibril morphology. Investigation of the secondary structure revealed that most amino acids of the core region belong to beta-strands with similar torsion angles in both conformations. Selection of regions with different mobility indicated the existence of monomers in the sample and allowed the identification of mobile segments of the protein within the fibril in the presence of monomeric protein. At least 35 C-terminal residues were mobile and lacked a defined secondary structure, whereas the N terminus was rigid starting from residue 22. Our findings agree well with the overall picture obtained with other methods and provide insight into the amyloid fibril structure and dynamics with residue-specific resolution.

Carbon Isotopes↗

PubMed2005

Determination of membrane protein structure and dynamics by magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

It is shown that molecular structure and dynamics of a uniformly labeled membrane protein can be studied under magic-angle-spinning conditions. For this purpose, dipolar recoupling experiments are combined with novel through-bond correlation schemes that probe mobile protein segments. These NMR schemes are demonstrated on a uniformly [13C,15N] variant of the 52-residue polypeptide phospholamban. When reconstituted in lipid bilayers, the NMR data are consistent with an alpha-helical trans-membrane segment and a cytoplasmic domain that exhibits a high degree of structural disorder.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Probing conformational disorder in neurotensin by two-dimensional solid-state NMR and comparison to molecular dynamics simulations.

An approach is introduced to characterize conformational ensembles of intrinsically unstructured peptides on the atomic level using two-dimensional solid-state NMR data and their combination with molecular dynamics simulations. For neurotensin, a peptide that binds with high affinity to a G-protein coupled receptor, this method permits the investigation of the changes in conformational preferences of a neurotransmitter transferred from a frozen aqueous solution via a lipid model phase to the receptor-bound form. The results speak against a conformational pre-organization of the ligand in detergents in which the receptor has been shown to be functional. Further extensions to the study of protein folding are possible.

Detergents↗

PubMed2005

Investigation of ligand-receptor systems by high-resolution solid-state NMR: recent progress and perspectives.

Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) provides a general method to study molecular structure and dynamics in a non-crystalline and insoluble environment. We discuss the latest methodological progress to construct 3D molecular structures from solid-state NMR data obtained under magic-angle-spinning conditions. As shown for the neurotensin/NTS-1 system, these methods can be readily applied to the investigation of ligand-binding to G-protein coupled receptors.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

PubMed2005

High-resolution solid-state NMR studies on uniformly [13C,15N]-labeled ubiquitin.

Understanding of the effects of intermolecular interactions, molecular dynamics, and sample preparation on high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR data is currently limited. Using the example of a uniformly [13C,15N]-labeled sample of ubiquitin, we discuss solid-state NMR methods tailored to the construction of 3D molecular structure and study the influence of solid-phase protein preparation on solid-state NMR spectra. A comparative analysis of 13C', 13Calpha, and 13Cbeta resonance frequencies suggests that 13C chemical-shift variations are most likely to occur in protein regions that exhibit an enhanced degree of molecular mobility. Our results can be refined by additional solid-state NMR techniques and serve as a reference for ongoing efforts to characterize the structure and dynamics of (membrane) proteins, protein complexes, and other biomolecules by high-resolution solid-state NMR.

Carbon Isotopes↗

PubMed2005

3D NMR spectroscopy for resonance assignment and structure elucidation of proteins under MAS: novel pulse schemes and sensitivity considerations.

Two types of 3D MAS NMR experiments are introduced, which combine standard (NC,CC) transfer schemes with (1H,1H) mixing to simultaneously detect connectivities and structural constraints of uniformly 15N,13C-labeled proteins with high spectral resolution. The homonuclear CCHHC and CCC experiments are recorded with one double-quantum evolution dimension in order to avoid a cubic diagonal in the spectrum. Depending on the second transfer step, spin systems or proton-proton contacts can be determined with reduced spectral overlap. The heteronuclear NHHCC experiment encodes NH-HC proton-proton interactions, which are indicative for the backbone conformation of the protein. The third dimension facilitates the identification of the amino acid spin system. Experimental results on U-[15N,13C]valine and U-[15N,13C]ubiquitin demonstrate their usefulness for resonance assignments and for the determination of structural constraints. Furthermore, we give a detailed analysis of alternative multidimensional sampling schemes and their effect on sensitivity and resolution.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2004

Discrepancy between the spin distribution and the magnetic ground state for a triaminoxyl substituted triphenylphosphine oxide derivative.

The magnetic interaction and spin transfer via phosphorus have been investigated for the tri-tert-butylaminoxyl para-substituted triphenylphosphine oxide. For this radical unit, the conjugation existing between the pi* orbital of the NO group and the phenyl pi orbitals leads to an efficient delocalization of the spin from the radical to the neighboring aromatic ring. This has been confirmed by using fluid solution high-resolution EPR and solid state MAS NMR spectroscopy. The spin densities located on the atoms of the molecule could be probed since (1)H, (13)C, (14)N, and (31)P are nuclei active in NMR and EPR, and lead to a precise spin distribution map for the triradical. The experimental investigations were completed by a DFT computational study. These techniques established in particular that spin density is located at the phosphorus (rho=-15x10(-3) au), that its sign is in line with the sign alternation principle and that its magnitude is in the order of that found on the aromatic C atoms of the molecule. Surprisingly, whereas the spin distribution scheme supports ferromagnetic interactions among the radical units, the magnetic behavior found for this molecule revealed a low-spin ground state characterized by an intramolecular exchange parameter of J=-7.55 cm(-1) as revealed by solid state susceptibility studies and low temperature EPR. The X-ray crystal structures solved at 293 and 30 K show the occurrence of a crystallographic transition resulting in an ordering of the molecular units at low temperature.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Strong exchange interactions between two radicals attached to nonaromatic spacers deduced from magnetic, EPR, NMR, and electron density measurements.

A nitronyl-nitroxide (NIT) biradical D-NIT2 linked by a single double bond has been engineered and investigated in the solid state by a combination of X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurement, EPR, as well as solid-state (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies, and experimental electron density distribution. All techniques reveal that a double bond is a very efficient coupling unit for exchange interactions between two radical moieties. Using a Bleaney-Bowers model dimer (H = -JS(1)S(2)), a singlet-triplet energy gap of J = -460 K was found with the singlet state being the ground state. This very strong intramolecular interaction was confirmed by EPR measurements in CH(2)Cl(2) solution (6 10(-4) M) or dispersed in a polymer matrix at low concentration. In keeping with these unusual interactions, solid-state NMR signals of the biradical were found to be considerably less shifted than those found for related monoradicals. Temperature-dependent solid-state (13)C NMR spectra of D-NIT2 confirmed the very strong intramolecular coupling constant (J = -504 K). The electron density distribution of D-NIT2 was measured by high resolution X-ray diffraction, which also revealed that this biradical is an ideally conjugated system. The in-depth characterization includes the deformation maps and the observed electron density ellipticities, which exhibit a pronounced sigma-pi character of the O-N-C=C-N-O cores in keeping with an efficient electronic delocalization along the alkene spacer.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Magneto-structural characterization of metallocene-bridged nitronyl nitroxide diradicals by X-Ray, magnetic measurements, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations.

Crystallization of ferrocene and ruthenocene substituted in the 1- and 1'-positions by two nitronyl nitroxide radicals gave the new crystal phases beta-1 (besides the known phase alpha-1), alpha-2, and beta-2 whose structures were determined by X-ray analysis. In beta-1 the radical moieties adopt transoid positions, whereas two different cisoid conformations are adopted by alpha-2 and beta-2. These conformations result from inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, respectively. All compounds experience antiferromagnetic interactions, and J/k(B) values up to -7 K have been found by fitting the experimental magnetic susceptibilities to a modified Bleaney-Bowers equation. The solid diradicals alpha-1, beta-1, alpha-2, and beta-2 as well as the ferrocene 3, which was substituted by a unique nitronyl nitroxide, were investigated by (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy with magic angle spinning. The carbon signals cover a range of 2000 ppm, and are well resolved such that the structure could be confirmed. Conversion of the signal shifts into spin densities disclosed the mechanisms by which spin delocalization from the nitronyl nitroxide substituents to the metallocene core occurs. The spin density distribution in alpha-1, beta-1, and 3 was also predicted by DFT calculations. There is good agreement between the experimental and theoretical trends of the spin delocalization. The magnetic interactions were discussed in the light of intramolecular spin transfer and its dependence on geometric constraints, demonstrating that the 1,1'-metallocenylene bridge is not a robust magnetic coupler.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed2003

High-resolution solid-state NMR applied to polypeptides and membrane proteins.

Solid-state NMR provides unique possibilities to study insoluble or noncrystalline molecules at the atomic level. High-resolution conditions can be established by employing magic-angle spinning at ultrahigh magnetic fields. We discuss NMR methods that make use of these experimental improvements and allow for the study of multiply or uniformly [(13)C,(15)N]-labeled polypeptides and proteins. Recent biophysical applications are reviewed.

Membrane Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Solid state NMR sequential resonance assignments and conformational analysis of the 2x10.4 kDa dimeric form of the Bacillus subtilis protein Crh.

Solid state NMR sample preparation and resonance assignments of the U-[13C,15N] 2x10.4 kDa dimeric form of the regulatory protein Crh in microcrystalline, PEG precipitated form are presented. Intra- and interresidue correlations using dipolar polarization transfer methods led to nearly complete sequential assignments of the protein, and to 88% of all 15N, 13C chemical shifts. For several residues, the resonance assignments differ significantly from those reported for the monomeric form analyzed by solution state NMR. Dihedral angles obtained from a TALOS-based statistical analysis suggest that the microcrystalline arrangement of Crh must be similar to the domain-swapped dimeric structure of a single crystal form recently solved using X-ray crystallography. For a limited number of protein residues, a remarkable doubling of the observed NMR resonances is observed indicative of local static or dynamic conformational disorder. Our study reports resonance assignments for the largest protein investigated by solid state NMR so far and describes the conformational dimeric variant of Crh with previously unknown chemical shifts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Inter- and intramolecular spin transfer in molecular magnetic materials. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy of paramagnetic metallocenium ions.

To shed light on the interaction in molecule-based magnetic materials, the decamethylmetallocenium hexafluorophosphates, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+) [PF(6)](-) with M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, as well as the tetracyanoethenides, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+) [TCNE](-) with M = Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co, have been investigated in the solid state by using (1)H, (13)C, (19)F, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy under magic angle spinning (MAS). The isotropic (13)C and (1)H NMR signals cover ranges of about 1300 and 500 ppm, respectively. From the shift anisotropies of the ring carbon signal of the [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+) cations, the total unpaired electron spin density in the ligand pi orbitals has been calculated; it amounts up to 36% (M = Ni) and is negative for M = Cr, Mn, and Fe. The radical anion of [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+) [TCNE](-) shifts the (13)C NMR signals of all [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+) cations to high frequency, which establishes transfer of positive spin density from the anions to the cations. The (19)F and (31)P NMR signals of the paramagnetic salts [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+) [PF(6)](-) are shifted up to 13.5 ppm relative to diamagnetic [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Co](+) [PF(6)](-). The signs of these shifts are the same as those of the pi spin density in [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+). After consideration of interionic ligand- and metal-centered dipolar shifts, this establishes cation-anion spin delocalization. The mixed crystals [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M(x)Co(1-x)](+)[PF(6)](-) have been prepared for M = Cr and Ni. They are isostructural with [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Co](+) [PF(6)](-) whose single-crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The (13)C, (19)F, and (31)P MAS NMR spectra of the mixed crystals show that the respective two closest paramagnetic ions in the lattice delocalize spin density to [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Co](+), [(C(5)Me(5))(2)Ni](+), and [PF(6)](-). In [(C(5)Me(5))(2)M](+), about 10(-4) au per carbon atom are transferred.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Reintroducing anisotropic interactions in magic-angle-spinning NMR of half-integer quadrupolar nuclei: 3D MQMAS.

Selective reintroduction of anisotropic interactions such as the chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and homonucler dipolar (HMD) coupling were implemented in a high-resolution NMR spectroscopy for half-integer quadrupolar nuclei. Rotary resonance recoupling (R(3)) combined with the multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning (MQMAS) in a three-dimensional (3D) experiment provides not only site-specific high-resolution spectra to yield the quadrupolar interaction parameters but also the CSA or HMD interaction parameters. This 3D experiment provides an avenue for the complete local structural information of half-integer quadrupolar nuclei. Three-dimensional MQMAS experiments incorporating R(3) of HMD and CSA interactions were demonstrated on model compounds containing (11)B, (23)Na, and (87)Rb nuclei.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Two-dimensional high-resolution NMR spectra in matched B(0) and B(1) field gradients.

In a recent publication we presented a method to obtain highly resolved NMR spectra in the presence of an inhomogeneous B(0) field with the help of a matched RF gradient. If RF gradient pulses are combined with "ideal" 90 degrees pulses to form inhomogeneous z rotation pulses, the line broadening caused by the B(0) gradient can be refocused, while the full chemical shift information is maintained. This approach is of potential use for NMR spectroscopy in an inhomogeneous magnetic field produced by an "ex-situ" surface spectrometer. In this contribution, we extend this method toward two-dimensional spectroscopy with high resolution in one or both dimensions. Line narrowing in the indirect dimension can be achieved by two types of nutation echoes, thus leading to depth-sensitive NMR spectra with full chemical shift information. If the nutation echo in the indirect dimension is combined with a stroboscopic acquisition using inhomogeneous z-rotation pulses, highly resolved two-dimensional correlation spectra can be obtained in matched field gradients. Finally, we demonstrate that an INEPT coherence transfer from proton to carbon spins is possible in inhomogeneous B(0) fields. Thus, it is possible to obtain one-dimensional (13)C NMR spectra with increased sensitivity and two-dimensional HETCOR spectra in the presence of B(0) gradients of 0.4 mT/cm. These schemes may be of some value for ex-situ NMR analysis of materials and biological systems.

Carbon Isotopes↗

PubMed1998

Molecular Structures of the Heavier Alkali Metal Salts of Supermesitylphosphane: A Systematic Investigation.

The molecular structures of the rubidium and cesium derivatives of supermesitylphosphane [i.e., (2,4,6-(t)Bu(3)C(6)H(2))PH(2) = (t)Bu(3)MesPH(2)] as well as several base adducts of these are reported. Sodium hydride, potassium hydride, rubidium metal, and cesium metal react with (t)Bu(3)MesPH(2) in tetrahydrofuran solution at room temperature to produce MPRH salts 1-4 [M = Na (1), K (2), Rb (3), Cs (4); R = (t)Bu(3)Mes] in good yields. X-ray-quality crystals of 2 and 3 were obtained by slow evaporation of solutions of the corresponding MP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes species dissolved in toluene/thf. Complex 4 was crystallized from hot toluene. On the other hand, slow evaporation of a toluene/tetrahydrofuran solution of CsP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes (4) produces crystals of the composition {[CsP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes](2)(&mgr;-THF)(0.9).toluene}(x)() (5). Crystallization of 4 in the presence of pyridine yields crystals of {[CsP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes](2)(&mgr;-pyridine)}(x)() (6). Also, crystallization of complexes 3 and 4 from toluene/N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) gives the isomorphous complexes {[RbP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes](2)(&mgr;-N-MeIm)}(x)() (7) and {[CsP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes](2)(&mgr;-N-MeIm)}(x)() (8), respectively. However, crystallization of 4 from toluene in the presence of bidentate or polydentate bases such as dimethoxyethane or pentamethyldiethylenetriamine does not result in incorporation of these bases into the lattice. Instead, the toluene solvate {[CsP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes](2)(eta(3)-toluene)(0.5)}(x)() (9) is obtained. On the other hand, crystallization of 4 from toluene/ethylenediamine gives the base adduct {[CsP(H)(t)Bu(3)Mes](2)(&mgr;-ethylenediamine)}(x)() (10). Complex 3 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr;. Crystal data for 3 at 218 K: a = 6.71320(10) Å, b = 10.5022(2) Å, c = 14.9733(3) Å, alpha = 91.3524(13) degrees, beta = 102.5584(13) degrees, gamma = 107.7966(14) degrees; Z = 1; R(1) = 6.55%. Complex 4 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr;. Crystal data for 4 at 223 K: a = 7.0730(14) Å; b = 10.395(2) Å; c = 14.933(2) Å; alpha = 81.97(1) degrees; beta = 76.35(2) degrees; gamma = 71.824(14) degrees; Z = 1; R(1) = 4.56%. Complex 5 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. Crystal data for 5 at 243 K: a = 15.039(2) Å; b = 16.152(3) Å; c = 20.967(5) Å; beta = 91.53(2) degrees; Z = 4; R(1) = 4.83%. Complex 6 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn. Crystal data for 6 at 298 K: a = 14.686(2) Å; b = 21.295(5) Å; c = 28.767(5) Å; Z = 8; R(1) = 5.61%. Complex 7 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn. Crystal data for 7 at 218 K: a = 14.5533(2) Å; b = 21.4258(5) Å; c = 28.5990(5) Å; Z = 8; R(1) = 4.61%. Complex 8 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn. Crystal data for 8 at 219 K: a = 14.6162(2) Å; b = 21.3992(3) Å; c = 28.7037(2) Å; Z = 8; R(1) = 3.57%. Complex 9 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr;. Crystal data for 9 at 293 K: a = 11.147(4) Å; b = 14.615(4) Å; c = 14.806(5) Å; alpha = 70.57(3) degrees; beta = 71.85(3) degrees; gamma = 72.93(2) degrees; Z = 2; R(1) = 5.13%. Complex 10 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr;. Crystal data for 10 at 173 K: a = 10.5690(4) Å; b = 15.0376(5) Å; c = 15.3643(5) Å; alpha = 111.8630(10) degrees; beta = 100.4120(10) degrees; gamma = 97.4820(2) degrees; Z = 2; R(1) = 4.87%. A common feature of the molecular structures of complexes 2-10 is an infinitely extended polymeric ladder framework in the solid state. Both solution and solid-state NMR data are presented.

Journal Article↗