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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

NMR 15N Relaxation Experiments for the Investigation of Picosecond to Nanoseconds Structural Dynamics of Proteins
Published on: November 1, 2024
An improved 15N relaxation dispersion experiment for the measurement of millisecond time-scale dynamics in proteins
D Flemming Hansen1, Pramodh Vallurupalli, Lewis E Kay
1Department of Medical Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8.
Abstract:
A new (15)N constant-time relaxation dispersion pulse scheme for the quantification of millisecond time-scale exchange dynamics in proteins is presented. The experiment differs from previously developed sequences in that it includes (1)H continuous-wave decoupling during the (15)N Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse train that significantly improves the relaxation properties of (15)N magnetization, leading to sensitivity gains in experiments. Moreover, it is shown that inclusion of an additional (15)N 180 degrees refocusing pulse (phase cycled +/- x) in the center of the CPMG pulse train, consisting of 1(5)N 180 degrees (y) pulses, provides compensation for pulse imperfections beyond the normal CPMG scheme. Relative to existing relaxation-compensated constant-time relaxation dispersion pulse schemes, nu(CPMG) values that are only half as large can be employed, offering increased sensitivity to slow time-scale exchange processes. The robustness of the methodology is illustrated with applications involving a pair of proteins: an SH3 domain that does not show millisecond time-scale exchange and an FF domain with significant chemical exchange contributions.
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