Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 20, 2025

Practical Aspects of Sample Preparation and Setup of 1H R1ρ Relaxation Dispersion Experiments of RNA
Published on: July 9, 2021
1H R1ρ relaxation dispersion experiments in aromatic side chains
Matthias Dreydoppel1, Roman J Lichtenecker2, Mikael Akke3
1Institute of Physics, Biophysics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
This study introduces a new aromatic proton R1ρ relaxation dispersion experiment. It allows faster measurement of protein dynamics in aromatic side chains, complementing existing methods.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Protein Dynamics
Background:
- Aromatic side chains are crucial for enzyme and protein binding site function.
- Relaxation dispersion experiments study dynamic processes on microsecond to millisecond timescales.
- Existing methods have limitations in studying faster exchange processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new aromatic 1H R1ρ relaxation dispersion experiment.
- To enable the study of faster protein dynamics in aromatic side chains.
- To complement existing 13C-based relaxation dispersion methods.
Main Methods:
- Development of an aromatic 1H R1ρ relaxation dispersion experiment.
- Implementation of site-specific isotope labeling schemes (1H-13C/2H-12C) to avoid anomalous relaxation.
- Validation using ring-flip kinetics in the small protein GB1.
Main Results:
- The new experiment enables studies of exchange processes 2-3 times faster than existing methods.
- Site-selective labeling is crucial for accurate measurements in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.
- Measured rate constants for GB1 ring-flip kinetics agree with previous 13C R1ρ results.
Conclusions:
- The aromatic 1H R1ρ relaxation dispersion experiment is a valuable tool for studying protein dynamics.
- The developed site-selective labeling scheme is essential for the experiment's success.
- This method extends the accessible exchange rate range to 80,000 s⁻¹.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Temporal Resolution
NMR Spectroscopy of Aromatic Compounds
IR Spectrum Peak Splitting: Symmetric vs Asymmetric Vibrations
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Variable-Temperature NMR
¹H NMR: Long-Range Coupling
In alkenes, spin information is communicated via σ–π overlap, as seen in allylic (four-bond) and homoallylic (five-bond) couplings. These coupling interactions are stronger when the σ bond is parallel to the alkene...
π Electron Effects on Chemical Shift: Aromatic and Antiaromatic Compounds

