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Pure Appl. Chem., 2004, Vol. 76, No. 2, pp. 321-333

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200476020321

Copper(II) proteins are amenable for NMR investigations

I. Bertini and R. Pierattelli

Department of Chemistry and Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy

Abstract:
The possibility of investigating copper proteins by nuclear magnetic resonance is here treated. It is shown that the solution structure and dynamic information can be obtained on Type I Cu(II) proteins, which have a relatively short electron relaxation time (τS = 10-10 s). The experimental approach, in this case, is routine, although tailored for fast-relaxing nuclei.
In the case of Type II Cu(II) proteins, when the electron relaxation times are larger (τS = 10-8 - 10-9 s) and proton linewidths are broadened beyond detectable limits, heteronuclear 13C spectra with direct detection can be used and the solution structure can again be obtained.
In this review, it is shown that Cu(II) proteins are now amenable for NMR investigation, the size being the only limit as in diamagnetic proteins.