Monitoring protein-metal binding by ¹⁹F NMR - a case study with the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1

¹⁹F NMR protein observed spectroscopy is evaluated as a method for analysing protein metal binding using the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1. The results imply ¹⁹F NMR is useful for analysis of different metallated protein states and investigations on equilibrium states in the presence of inhibitors. One limitation is that ¹⁹F labelling may affect metal ion binding. The sensitive readout of changes in protein behaviour observed by ¹⁹F NMR spectra coupled with the broad scope of tolerated conditions (e.g. buffer variations) means ¹⁹F NMR should be further investigated for studying metal ion interactions and the inhibition of metallo-enzymes during drug discovery.