1H NMR aromatic spectrum of the operator binding domain of the lambda repressor: resonance assignment with...

The aromatic 1H NMR resonances of the operator binding domain of lambda repressor are completely assigned. Since the resonances of this 23-kilodalton domain are too broad for the application of two-dimensional strategies for sequence-specific assignment, an alternative approach has been used. Assignments are obtained by a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR methods, by the study of genetically altered domains, and by the biosynthetic incorporation of deuterium labels. The resulting assignments provide sensitive markers for tertiary and quaternary structure. Nuclear Overhauser enhancements demonstrate that the major features of the crystal structure, including the dimer contacts, are retained in solution. The rates of aromatic ring rotation indicate that the globular domain is not rigid; significant barriers to ring rotation are observed only in the dimer contact.