Development and Application of Spin Traps, Spin Probes, and Spin Labels

This chapter focuses on major achievements of the last decade in the synthesis and applications of spin traps, spin probes, and spin labels. Our discussion on spin trapping is mainly concerned with novel aspects of nitrones used as spin traps and with the kinetics caused by bioreductants. The second part of the chapter deals with recent developments in site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) for studying structure and functions of proteins and nucleic acids. We focus on SDSL EPR distance measurements using advanced trityl and nitroxide labels, on new approaches for incorporation of spin labels in biomolecules, and finally, on recent room/physiological temperature measurements made feasible by these novel spin labels.