Biophysical studies of weakly aligned biomolecules

弱排列生物分子的生物物理学研究

• 批准号: 238873-2006
• 负责人: Gehring, Kalle
• 金额: $ 2.29万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2006-01-01 至 2007-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=336272
• 关键词: Biophysical; studies; weakly; aligned; biomolecules

The last ten years have seen a revolution in the use of residual dipolar couplings in macromolecular structure determination by NMR spectroscopy. In liquid crystals, macromolecules partially align and non-zero averaging of the dipolar couplings occurs. These 'residual' dipolar couplings provide both angular and distance information and can be used to determine atomic structures. Under the previous funding period, we developed new methods for measuring residual dipolar couplings using polymer-stabilized liquid crystals. By spinning these media at the magic angle, dipolar couplings and chemical shift anisotropies are removed but can be selectively re-introduced with REDOR-like recoupling pulse sequences. We propose to continue our research on weakly aligned biomolecules for NMR spectroscopy and, as a new direction, for applications in small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).  Both NMR and SAXS are important tools for visualizing the three dimensional structures of biomolecules.  By using liquid crystals and other orienting systems, we can extend the range and usefulness of these techniques.  The tangible benefits are a better understanding of basic life processes involving proteins and other biomolecules and improved tools for drug development and design in health research.

近十年来，利用残余偶极偶联在核磁共振光谱测定大分子结构方面发生了革命性的变化。在液晶中，大分子部分排列，偶极偶联发生非零平均。这些“残余”偶极耦合提供了角度和距离信息，可用于确定原子结构。在之前的资助期内，我们开发了使用聚合物稳定液晶测量残余偶极耦合的新方法。通过以魔角旋转这些介质，偶极耦合和化学位移各向异性被消除，但可以选择性地通过类似redor的重耦合脉冲序列重新引入。我们建议继续研究弱排列生物分子在核磁共振光谱中的应用，并作为一个新的方向，在小角度x射线散射（SAXS）中的应用。核磁共振和SAXS都是可视化生物分子三维结构的重要工具。通过使用液晶和其他定向系统，我们可以扩展这些技术的范围和用途。具体的好处是更好地了解涉及蛋白质和其他生物分子的基本生命过程，以及改进药物开发和设计卫生研究的工具。