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Dipolar recoupling NMR of biomolecular self-assemblies : determining inter- and intrastrand distances in fibrilized Alzheimer's {betta}-amyloid peptide.

Journal Article · · Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson.

We demonstrate a new method for investigating the structure of self-associating biopolymers using dipolar recoupling NMR techniques. This approach was applied to the study of fibrillar {beta}-amyloid (A{beta}) peptides (the primary component of the plaques of Alzheimer's disease) containing only a single isotopic spin label ({sup 13}C), by employing the DRAWS (dipolar recoupling with a windowless sequence) technique to measure {sup 13}C-{sup 13}C distances. The 'single-label' approach simplified analysis of DRAWS data, since only interstrand contacts are present, without the possibility of any intrastrand contacts. As previously reported [T.L.S. Benzinger, D.M. Gregory, T.S. Burkoth, H. Miller-Auer, D.G. Lynn, R.E. Botto, S.C. Meredith, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 95 (1998) 13407.], contacts of approximately 5 {angstrom} were observed at all residues studied, consistent with an extended parallel {beta}-sheet structure with each amino acid in exact register. Here, we propose that our strategy is completely generalizable, and provides a new approach for characterizing any iterative, self-associating biopolymer. Towards the end of generalizing and refining our approach, in this paper we evaluate several issues raised by our previous analyses. First, we consider the effects of double-quantum (DQ) transverse relaxation processes. Next, we discuss the effects of various multiple-spin geometries on modeling of DRAWS data. Several practical issues are also discussed: these include (1) the use of DQ filtering experiments, either to corroborate DRAWS data, or as a rapid screening assessment of the proper placement of isotopic spin labels; and (2) the comparison of solid samples prepared by either lyophilization or freezing. Finally, data obtained from the use of single labels is compared with that obtained in doubly {sup 13}C-labeled model compounds of known crystal structure. It is shown that such data are obtainable in far more complex peptide molecules. These data, taken together, refine the DRAWS method, and demonstrate its precision and utility in obtaining high resolution structural data in complex biomolecular aggregates such as A{beta}.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
ER
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
942319
Report Number(s):
ANL/CHM/JA-30304
Journal Information:
Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson., Journal Name: Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson. Journal Issue: 3 ; Dec. 1998 Vol. 13; ISSN SSNRE4; ISSN 0926-2040
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH