The magnetic field and temperature dependences of proton spin-lattice relaxation in proteins
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
![Measuring the Spin-Lattice Relaxation Magnetic Field Dependence of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59399.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Measuring the Spin-Lattice Relaxation Magnetic Field Dependence of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate
Published on: September 13, 2019
Yanina Goddard1, Jean-Pierre Korb, Robert G Bryant
1Chemistry Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA.
Abstract:
The nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profiles of lyophilized globular proteins were measured in the frequency range of 10 kHz-30 MHz at temperatures from 156 to 302 K. The existent theory of proton relaxation in immobilized protein systems was critically tested and expended to include contributions of rapid motions of protein side-chain groups. The new theory takes into account the strong coupling between the side-chain protons and the protein backbone, when correlation function cannot be written as a product of the contributions. The measurements showed that while the relaxation rate constant of the protein backbone protons is a linear function of the absolute temperature the side-chain groups exhibit an exponential temperature dependence corresponding to an activated process. Measurements carried out on simple homopolypeptides, polyglycine and polyalanine, provide strong support of the proposed new theory.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Types of Nuclear Relaxation
In spin–lattice or longitudinal relaxation, the excited spins exchange energy with the surrounding lattice as they return to the lower energy level. Among several mechanisms that contribute to spin–lattice relaxation, magnetic dipolar interactions are significant. Here, the excited nucleus transfers energy to a nearby...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Atomic Nuclei: Magnetic Resonance
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Magnetic Moment

