1H-detected characterization of carbon-carbon networks in highly flexible protonated biomolecules using MAS NMR

In the last three decades, the scope of solid-state NMR has expanded to exploring complex biomolecules, from large protein assemblies to intact cells at atomic-level resolution. This diversity in macromolecules frequently features highly flexible components whose insoluble environment precludes the use of solution NMR to study their structure and interactions. While High-resolution Magic-Angle Spinning (HR-MAS) probes offer the capacity for gradient-based H-1-detected spectroscopy in solids, such probes are not commonly used for routine MAS NMR experiments. As a result, most exploration of the flexible regime entails either C-13-detected experiments, the use of partially perdeuterated systems, or ultra-fast MAS. Here we explore proton-detected pulse schemes probing through-bond C-13-C-13 networks to study mobile protein sidechains as well as polysaccharides in a broadband manner. We demonstrate the use of such schemes to study a mixture of microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau and human microtubules (MTs), and the cell wall of the fungus Schizophyllum commune using 2D and 3D spectroscopy, to show its viability for obtaining unambiguous correlations using standard fast-spinning MAS probes at high and ultra-high magnetic fields.

Automated summary

In the past three decades, solid-state NMR has been used to explore complex biomolecules at atomic-level resolution, including large protein assemblies and intact cells. Flexible components in macromolecules are often difficult to study using solution NMR due to their insoluble environment. Proton-detected pulse schemes are used to probe through-bond C-13-C-13 networks in order to study flexible protein sidechains and polysaccharides. This technique has been successfully applied to investigate microtubule-associated protein tau, human microtubules, and the cell wall of the fungus Schizophyllum commune using 2D and 3D spectroscopy.