Improved Estimation of Protein Rotational Correlation Times fromN Relaxation Measurements

In the study of protein backbone dynamics by¹⁵N relaxation measurements, an initial estimation of the isotropic global correlation time, τ_m, is usually obtained from the averageT₁/T₂ratio of nuclear spins that do not exhibit slow internal motion and withT₂values not significantly shortened by chemical or conformational exchange processes. Different methods have been used for identification of the rates of internal motion. However, the number of nuclear spins included in the τ_mestimation is often larger than the number that ultimately can be fitted to a single-order parameter,S², implying that some nuclear spins involved in the initial τ_mestimation actually have an effective internal correlation time, τ_e, not as fast as assumed. As a consequence, τ_mis underestimated, since internal motion reduces theT₁/T₂ratio. This situation becomes more obvious if the molecule has a large τ_mvalue because the reduction inT₁/T₂ratio arising from internal motion is more significant than for molecules with smaller τ_mand the same degree of internal motion. This Communication describes a more reliable method for identifying nuclear spins which should be excluded from the τ_mestimation because of insufficiently rapid internal motion. This results in an improved τ_mvalue, giving a much better agreement between the number of nuclear spins fitted successfully to a single-order parameter,S², and those used in the τ_mestimation.