Nitroxide spin-spin interactions: applications to protein structure and dynamics

Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct. 1999:28:129-53. doi: 10.1146/annurev.biophys.28.1.129.

Abstract

Measurement of the distance between two spin label probes in proteins permits the spatial orientation of elements of defined secondary structure. By using site-directed spin labeling, it is possible to determine multiple distance constraints and thereby build tertiary and quaternary structural models as well as measure the kinetics of structural changes. New analytical methods for determining interprobe distances and relative orientations for uniquely oriented spin labels have been developed using global analysis of multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance data. New methods have also been developed for determining interprobe distances for randomly oriented spin labels. These methods are being applied to a wide range of structural problems, including peptides, soluble proteins, and membrane proteins, that are not readily characterized by other structural techniques.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cyclic N-Oxides*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Spin Labels*

Substances

  • Cyclic N-Oxides
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Spin Labels