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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
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Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
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In situ structural biology using in-cell NMR
Noritaka Nishida1, Yutaka Ito2, Ichio Shimada1
1Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. General Subjects
|May 20, 2019
Summary
In-cell NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) allows atomic-resolution protein structure determination within living cells. This technique provides crucial insights into protein function in native cellular environments, overcoming limitations of in vitro studies.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Protein structure and function differ significantly between in vitro conditions and living cells.
- Studying proteins within their native intracellular environment is essential for understanding their biological roles.
- The in-cell NMR method has been developed over the last two decades to address this need.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the methodology of in-cell NMR.
- To highlight diverse biological applications of in-cell NMR.
- To discuss current challenges and future prospects in the field.
Main Methods:
- Development of methods for isotope-labeled protein enrichment within cells.
- Application of in-cell NMR for observing bacterial and eukaryotic cells.
- Utilizing bioreactor systems for long-term and real-time in-cell NMR measurements.
Main Results:
- In-cell NMR enables observation of proteins in both bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
- Applications include de novo structure determination and analysis of protein interactions and enzymatic reactions.
- Bioreactor systems facilitate continuous perfusion and real-time monitoring of cellular responses.
Conclusions:
- In-cell NMR is a unique technology for obtaining structure-function information of proteins in physiological or pathological cellular environments.
- It provides insights unattainable through traditional in vitro methods.
- This technique is crucial for understanding protein behavior in native cellular milieus.
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