Measuring distances in proteins by saturation-recovery EPR

We describe a protocol for detecting electron spin-spin interactions between a radical and a metal ion in a protein or protein complex by saturation-recovery electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). This protocol can be used with a protein containing an endogenous metal center and either an endogenous or synthetic radical species. We suggest a two-step approach whereby dipole-dipole or exchange interactions are first detected by continuous-wave EPR experiments and then quantified by saturation-recovery EPR. The latter measurements make it possible to measure long distances to within a few Angstroms. The protocol for making distance measurements by saturation-recovery EPR will take approximately 6 days to complete.