Sensitivity enhancement in structural measurements by solid state NMR through pulsed spin locking

Free induction decay (FID) signals in solid state NMR measurements performed with magic angle spinning can often be extended in time by factors on the order of 10 by a simple pulsed spin locking technique. The sensitivity of a structural measurement in which the structural information is contained in the dependence of the integrated FID amplitude on a preceding evolution period can therefore be enhanced substantially by pulsed spin locking in the signal detection period. We demonstrate sensitivity enhancements in a variety of solid state NMR techniques that are applicable to selectively isotopically labeled samples, including 13C-15N rotational echo double resonance (REDOR), 13C-13C dipolar recoupling measurements using the constant-time finite-pulse radio-frequency-driven recoupling (fpRFDR-CT) and constant-time double-quantum-filtered dipolar recoupling (CTDQFD) techniques, and torsion angle measurements using the double quantum chemical shift anisotropy (DQCSA) technique. Further, we demonstrate that the structural information in the solid state NMR data is not distorted by pulsed spin locking in the detection period.     

Dynamics of Spin I=3/2 under Spin-Locking Conditions in an Ordered Environment

We have derived approximate analytic solutions to the master equation describing the evolution of the spin I=3/2 density operator in the presence of a radio-frequency (RF) field and both static and fluctuating quadrupolar interactions. Spectra resulting from Fourier transformation of the evolutions of the on-resonance spin-locked magnetization into the various coherences display two satellite pairs and, in some cases, a central line. The central line is generally trimodal, consisting of a narrow component related to a slowly relaxing mode and two broad components pertaining to two faster relaxing modes. The rates of the fast modes are sensitive to slow molecular motion. Neither the amplitude nor the width of the narrow component is affected by the magnitude of the static coupling, whereas the corresponding features of the broad components depend in a rather complicated manner on the spin-lock field strength and static quadrupolar interaction. Under certain experimental conditions, the dependencies of the amplitudes on the dynamics are seen to vanish and the relaxation rates reduce to relatively simple expressions. One of the promising emerging features is the fact that the evolutions into the selectively detected quadrupolar spin polarization order and the rank-two double-quantum coherence do not exhibit a slowly relaxing mode and are particularly sensitive to slow molecular motion. Furthermore, these coherences can only be excited in the presence of a static coupling and this makes it possible to discern nuclei in anisotropic from those in isotropic environment. The feasibility of the spin-lock pulse sequences with limited RF power and a nonvanishing average electric field gradient has been demonstrated through experiments on sodium in a dense lyotropic DNA liquid crystal.     

Determination of membrane Peptide orientation by 1H-detected 2H NMR spectroscopy

We demonstrate the application of the proton inverse detected deuteron (PRIDE) NMR technique to the measurement of the orientation of membrane-bound peptides with enhanced sensitivity. Gramicidin D, a transmembrane peptide, and ovispirin, a surface-bound peptide, were used as model systems. The peptides were 2H-labeled by 1H/2H exchange and oriented uniaxially on glass plates. The directly detected 2H spectra of both peptides showed only a strong D(2)O signal and no large quadrupolar splittings. In contrast, the PRIDE spectrum of gramicidin exhibited quadrupolar splittings as large as 281 kHz, consistent with its transmembrane orientation. Moreover, the large D(2)O signal in the directly detected 2H spectra was cleanly suppressed in the PRIDE spectrum. For ovispirin, the 1H indirectly detected 2H spectrum revealed a 104 kHz splitting and a zero-frequency peak. The former reflects the in-plane orientation of most of the helix axis, while the latter results from residues with a magic-angle orientation of the N-D bonds. These are consistent with previous 15N NMR results on ovispirin. The combination of PRIDE and exchange labeling provides an economical and sensitive method of studying membrane peptide orientations in lipid bilayers without the influence of D(2)O and with the ability to detect N-D bonds at the magic angle from the bilayer normal.     

Simultaneous selective detection of multiple quantum spectra

A three-dimensional multiple-quantum NMR experiment that produces individual spectra of all quantum orders is described. The separation of different quantum orders is accomplished via Fourier transformation with respect to the phase of the first two pulses of a generic three-pulse multiple-quantum sequence. This dramatically reduces the time required to obtain several selectively detected spectra and enhances the sensitivity and digital resolution from that obtained using the original two-dimensional technique. The experiment is demonstrated on the protons of para-chlorotoluene dissolved in the nematic liquid crystal Merck ZLI-1132.     

Dipolar and J encoded DQ MAS spectra under rotational resonance

A two-dimensional (2D) double-quantum (DQ) experiment under rotational resonance (R(2)) conditions is introduced for evaluating dipolar couplings in rotating solids. The contributions from the R(2)-recoupled dipolar interaction and the J coupling can be conveniently separated in the resulting 2D R(2)-DQ spectrum, so that the unknown dipolar coupling can readily be extracted, provided that the values of the involved J coupling constants are known. Since the measured parameters are integral intensity ratios between suitably chosen absorption peaks in the 2D spectrum, the proposed method is characterized by a reduced sensitivity to relaxation parameters. The effect of rotor-modulated terms, including chemical shift anisotropy, is efficiently averaged out by synchronizing the excitation/reconversion time with the rotor period. All of these features are demonstrated theoretically by the example of two model systems, namely, isolated spin-pairs and a three-spin system. The results of the theoretical models are applied to both (13)C and (1)H nuclei to extract dipolar couplings in uniformly (13)C labeled L-alanine and a crosslinked natural rubber.     

Accurate Measurement of Small Spin–Spin Couplings in Partially Aligned Molecules Using a Novel J-Mismatch Compensated Spin-State-Selection Filter

The accurate measurement of small spin–spin coupling constants in macromolecules dissolved in a liquid crystalline phase is important in the context of molecular structure investigation by modern liquid state NMR. A new spin-state-selection filter, DIPSAP, is presented with significantly reduced sensitivity to J-mismatch of the filter delays compared to previously proposed pulse sequences. DIPSAP presents an attractive new approach for the accurate measurement of small spin–spin coupling constants in molecules dissolved in anisotropic solution. Application to the measurement of ¹⁵N–¹³C′ and ¹H^N–¹³C′ coupling constants in the peptide planes of ¹³C, ¹⁵N labeled proteins demonstrates the high accuracy obtained by a DIPSAP-based experiment.     

Analysis of protein/ligand interactions with NMR diffusion measurements: the importance of eliminating the protein background

Pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) is a well-established method for the determination of translational diffusion coefficients. Recently, this method has found applicability in the combinatorial arena with the introduction of affinity NMR for characterizing protein/ligand interactions. Although affinity NMR has been reported to be an effective method for the identification of active compounds in a complex mixture, there are limitations of this method. We have developed a simple mathematical model to predict optimum concentration ratios of the ligand and protein in order to observe maximum changes in the ligand diffusion coefficient upon protein binding. The ligand/protein systems of L-tryptophan and ibuprofen binding to human serum albumin were chosen to demonstrate the usefulness of this model. However, even when the conditions of the mathematical model are satisfied, the spectral background arising from the protein in proton-detected experiments can be problematic. To this end, we have employed spectral subtraction of the protein spectrum to yield ligand diffusion coefficients that are in agreement with those predicted by simulation.     

Measurement of J-couplings between spin-(1/2) and quadrupolar nuclei by frequency selective solid-state NMR

We report a REDOR-based scheme for the measurement of heteronuclear J-couplings in solid samples with well defined structure, containing spin-12 and quadrupolar nuclei, which can be used with selective RF irradiation to target a specific spin pair, and which provides direct information about the number of coupled spins.     

Probing Proteins in Solution by Xe NMR Spectroscopy

The interaction of xenon with different proteins in aqueous solution is investigated by ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shifts are measured in horse metmyoglobin, hen egg white lysozyme, and horse cytochrome c solutions as a function of xenon concentration. In these systems, xenon is in fast exchange between all possible environments. The results suggest that nonspecific interactions exist between xenon and the protein exteriors and the data are analyzed in term of parameters which characterize the protein surfaces. The experimental data for horse metmyoglobin are interpreted using a model in which xenon forms a 1:1 complex with the protein and the chemical shift of the complexed xenon is reported (Locci et al., Keystone Symposia “Frontiers of NMR in Molecular Biology VI”, Jan. 9–15, 1999, Breckenridge, CO, Abstract E216, p. 53; Locci et al., XeMAT 2000 “Optical Polarization and Xenon NMR of Materials”, June 28–30, 2000, Sestri Levante, Italy, p. 46).     

2D(13)C-(13)C MAS NMR correlation spectroscopy with mixing by true (1)H spin diffusion reveals long-range intermolecular distance restraints in ultra high magnetic field

An improved 2D (13)C-(13)C CP(3) MAS NMR correlation experiment with mixing by true (1)H spin diffusion is presented. With CP(3), correlations can be detected over a much longer range than with direct (1)H-(13)C or (13)C-(13)C dipolar recoupling. The experiment employs a (1)H spin diffusion mixing period tau(m) sandwiched between two cross-polarization periods. An optimized CP(3) sequence for measuring polarization transfer on a length scale between 0.3 and 1.0 nm using short mixing times of 0.1 ms < tau(m) < 1 ms is presented. For such a short tau(m), cross talk from residual transverse magnetization of the donating nuclear species after a CP can be suppressed by extended phase cycling. The utility of the experiment for genuine structure determination is demonstrated using a self-aggregated Chl a/H(2)O sample. The number of intramolecular cross-peaks increases for longer mixing times and this obscures the intermolecular transfer events. Hence, the experiment will be useful for short mixing times only. For a short tau(m) = 0.1 ms, intermolecular correlations are detected between the ends of phytyl tails and ring carbons of neighboring Chl a molecules in the aggregate. In this way the model for the structure, with stacks of Chl a that are arranged back to back with interdigitating phytyl chains stretched between two bilayers, is validated.     

IR Spectrum of C8H2: Integrated Band Intensities and Some Observational Implications

Polyynes are of astrophysical interest since they appear to be involved in organic chemistry in very different mediums. In Titan's atmosphere, the lightest polyyne, C₄H₂, was detected by Voyager. Recently C₄H₂ and C₆H₂ have been discovered in a protoplanetary nebula, suggesting polyynes as a possible chemical pathway to PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Moreover, several experimental simulations and modeling imply their production from the photochemistry of methane and their involvement in the formation of organic aerosols. After the study of C₄H₂ and C₆H₂ spectra in the UV and IR wavelength range, we report here the first spectrum of gaseous C₈H₂ in the range 400–4000 cm⁻¹ at room temperature and low resolution. The task was hardly achieved because of the high instability of this molecule with temperature and pressure. To avoid exothermic polymerization, the compound as mixed with a solvent. We have performed a separate spectroscopic study of the solvent to determine C₈H₂ partial pressure within the mixture. This allowed us to calculate C₈H₂ integrated band intensities. In the studied wavelength range, C₈H₂ presents three main bands similar to those of C₆H₂ in terms of vibrational type, position, and relative intensity. To study the possible identification of these polyynes by spatial observatories (Cassini–Huygens, ISO), we have also measured the C₆H₂ and C₈H₂ infrared spectra in the range 400–1500 cm⁻¹ at 0.35 cm⁻¹ resolution.     

A subspace time-domain algorithm for automated NMR spectral normalization

Recently, two methods have been proposed for quantitatively comparing NMR spectra of control and treated samples, in order to examine the possible occurring variations in cell metabolism and/or structure in response to numerous physical, chemical, and biological agents. These methods are the maximum superposition normalization algorithm (MaSNAl) and the minimum rank normalization algorithm (MiRaNAl). In this paper a new subspace-based time-domain normalization algorithm, denoted by SuTdNAl (subspace time-domain normalization algorithm), is presented. By the determination of the intersection of the column spaces of two Hankel matrices, the common signal poles and further on the components having proportionally varying amplitudes are detected. The method has the advantage that it is computationally less intensive than the MaSNAl and the MiRaNAl. Furthermore, no approximate estimate of the normalization factor is required. The algorithm was tested by Monte Carlo simulations on a set of simulation signals. It was shown that the SuTdNAl has a statistical performance similar to that of the MiRaNAl, which itself is an improvement over the MaSNAl. Furthermore, two samples of known contents are compared with the MiRaNAl, the SuTdNAl, and an older method using a standard. Finally, the SuTdNAl is tested on a realistic simulation example derived from an in vitro measurement on cells.     

H Spectroscopy without Solvent Suppression: Characterization of Signal Modulations at Short Echo Times

While most proton (¹H) spectra acquired in vivo utilize selective suppression of the solvent signal for more sensitive detection of signals from the dilute metabolites, recent reports have demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of collecting in vivo data without solvent attenuation. When these acquisitions are performed at short echo times, the presence of frequency modulations of the water resonance may become an obstacle to the identification and quantitation of metabolite resonances. The present report addresses the characteristics, origin, and elimination of these sidebands. Sideband amplitudes were measured as a function of delay time between gradient pulse and data collection, as a function of gradient pulse amplitude, and as a function of spatial location of the sample for each of the three orthogonal gradient sets. Acoustic acquisitions were performed to demonstrate the correlation between mechanical vibration resonances and the frequencies of MR sidebands. A mathematical framework is developed and compared with the experimental results. This derivation is based on the theory that these frequency modulations are induced by magnetic field fluctuations generated by the transient oscillations of gradient coils.     

Tailored HCCH-TOCSY experiment for resonance assignment in the proximity of a paramagnetic center

The presence of a paramagnetic center may disturb both coherent and incoherent communication between nuclear spins that are affected, to some extent, by the hyperfine interaction. This is a limiting factor to an extensive use of paramagnetic probes in NMR spectroscopy to enhance partial alignment and to exploit cross correlation effects and pseudocontact shifts. We propose here an HCCH-TOCSY experiment tailored to identify spin systems involving resonances that are partly or completely affected by hyperfine interaction. The efficiency of polarization transfer steps when fast relaxing nuclei are involved is discussed. The sequence is tested for the protein Calbindin D(9k), in which one of the two native Ca2+ ions is replaced by the paramagnetic Ce3+ ion as well as for the oxidized form of cytochrome b(562).     

Development of NMR instrumentation to achieve excitation of large bandwidths in high-resolution spectra at high field

A prototype 2.5-mm (1)H high-resolution probe for an 18.8-T (800 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer has been designed, together with a dedicated amplifier capable of delivering up to 1 kW of power. This probe permits a 90 degrees pulse length of 2 mus to be achieved at 300 W, corresponding to an excitation bandwidth of +/-125 kHz. Probe performances were tested on samples commonly used for this purpose as well as on protein and paramagnetic model compound samples. It is shown that this probe is useful for a wide range of applications at high magnetic field, especially in the study of systems characterized by very broad and far-shifted resonances and in experiments that require high-power radiofrequency irradiation.     

Generation and Application of Ultra-High-Intensity Magnetic Field Gradient Pulses for NMR Spectroscopy

Two different concepts of gradient current power supplies are introduced, which are suitable for the generation of ultra-high intensity pulsed magnetic field gradients of alternating polarity. The first system consists of a directly binary coded current source (DBCCS). It yields current pulses of up to ±120 A and a maximum voltage across the gradient coil of ±400 V. The second system consists of two TECHRON 8606 power supplies in push–pull configuration (PSPPC). It yields current pulses of up to ±100 A and a maximum voltage across the gradient coil of ±300 V. In combination with actively shielded anti-Helmholtz gradient coils, both systems are used routinely in NMR diffusion studies with unipolar pulsed field gradients of up to 35 T/m. Until now, alternating pulsed field gradient experiments were successfully performed with gradient intensities of up to ±25 T/m (DBCCS) and ±35 T/m (PSPPC), respectively. Based on the observation of the NMR spin echo in the presence of a small read gradient, procedures to test the stability and the matching of such ultra-high pulsed field gradient intensities as well as an automated routine for the compensation of possible mismatches are introduced. The results of these procedures are reported for the PSPPC system.     

Through-Bond Correlation of Sugar and Base Protons in Unlabeled Nucleic Acids

This work presents two methods for through-bond correlation between sugar and base protons in view of model-independent assignment in unlabeled or slightly enriched nucleic acids. Each method uses a combination of multiple-bond and one-bond heteronuclear J-couplings to the aromatic carbon C6 for pyrimidines ((3)J(H1',C6) and (1)J(H6,C6)) or C8 for purines ((3)J(H1',C8) and (1)J(H8,C8)). The techniques are demonstrated in the duplex [d(CGCGAATTCGCG)](2) and the dimeric G-quadruplex [d(GGGTTCAGG)](2) at natural abundance.     

High-Resolution H NMR Spectroscopy in the Solid State: Very Fast Sample Rotation and Multiple-Quantum Coherences

In the past few years, solid-state ¹H NMR spectroscopy under fast magic-angle spinning (MAS) has developed into a versatile tool for elucidating structure and dynamics. Dipolar multiple-quantum (MQ), in particular double-quantum (DQ), MAS spectroscopy has been applied to a variety of materials and provided unique insight, e.g., into the structure of hydrogen-bonded systems. This review intends to present solid-state ¹H DQ and MQ MAS spectroscopy in a systematic fashion with a particular emphasis on methodological aspects, followed by an overview of applications.     

Linewidth-Resolved N HSQC, a Simple 3D Method to Measure N Relaxation Times from T1 and T2 Linewidths

A three-dimensional approach for measuring ¹⁵N relaxation times is described. Instead of selecting particular values for the relaxation period, in the proposed method the relaxation period is incremented periodically in order to create a 3D spectrum. This additional frequency domain of the transformed spectrum contains the relaxation time information in the T₁ and T₂ linewidths, and thus the longitudinal and transverse ¹⁵N relaxation times can be measured without determination of 2D cross peak volumes/intensities and subsequent curve fitting procedures.     

Improved Broadband Inversion Performance for NMR in Liquids

New NMR broadband inversion pulses that compensate both for resonance offset and radiofrequency (RF) inhomogeneity are described. The approach described is a straightforward computer optimization of an initial digitized waveform generated from either a constant-amplitude frequency sweep or from an existing composite inversion pulse. Problems with convergence to local minima are alleviated by the way the optimization is carried out. For a given duration and maximum allowable RF field strength B₁ (but not necessarily given RMS power deposition), the resultant broadband inversion pulse (BIP) shows superior inversion compared to inversion pulses obtained from previous methods, including adiabatic inversion pulses. Any existing BIP can be systematically elaborated to build up longer inversion pulses that perform over larger and larger bandwidths. The resulting pulse need not be adiabatic throughout its duration or across the entire operational bandwidth.