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Structural characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) requires a concerted effort between experiments and computations by accounting for their conformational heterogeneity. Given the diversity of experimental tools providing local and global structural information, constructing an experimental restraint-satisfying structural ensemble remains challenging. Here, we use the disordered N-terminal domain (NTD) of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) as a model system to combine existing small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and hydroxyl radical protein footprinting (HRPF) data and newly acquired solvent accessibility data via D 2 O-induced fluorine chemical shifting (DFCS) measurements. A new set of DFCS data for the solvent exposure of a set of 12 amino acid positions were added to complement previously acquired HRPF measurements for the solvent exposure of the other 16 nonoverlapping amino acids, thereby improving the NTD ensemble characterization considerably. We also found that while choosing an initial ensemble of structures generated from a different atomic-level force field or sampling/modeling method can lead to distinct contact maps even when the same sets of experimental measurements were used for ensemble-fitting, comparative analyses from these initial ensembles reveal commonly recurring structural features in their ensemble-averaged contact map. Specifically, nonlocal or long-range transient interactions were found consistently between the N-terminal segments and the central region, sufficient to mediate the conformational ensemble and regulate how the NTD interacts with its coactivator proteins.

CO 2 separations from cabin air and the atmospheric air are challenged by the very low partial pressures of CO 2 . In this study, a facilitated transport membrane (FTM) is developed to separate CO 2 from air using functionalized ionic liquid (IL) and poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) carriers. A highly permeable bicontinuous structured poly(ethersulfone)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) ( b PES/PET) substrate is used to support the PIL-IL impregnated graphene oxide thin film. The CO 2 separation performance was tested under a mixture feed of CO 2 /N 2 /O 2 /H 2 O. Under 410 ppm of CO 2 at 1 atm feed gas, CO 2 permanence of 3923 GPU, and CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /O 2 selectivities of 1200 and 300, respectively, are achieved with helium sweeping on the permeate side. For increased transmembrane pressure (>0 atm), a thicker PIL-IL/GO layer was shown to provide mechanical strength and prevent leaching of the mobile carrier. CO 2 binding to the carriers, ion diffusivities, and the glass transition temperature of the PIL-IL gels were examined to determine the membrane composition and rationalize the superior separation performance obtained. This report represents the first FTM study with PIL-IL carriers for CO 2 separation from air.

Toxic misfolding of proinsulin variants in β-cells defines a monogenic diabetes syndrome, designated mutant INS-gene induced diabetes of the young (MIDY). In our first study (previous article in this issue), we described a one-disulfide peptide model of a proinsulin folding intermediate and its use to study such variants. The mutations (Leu B15 →Pro, Leu A16 →Pro, and Phe B24 →Ser) probe residues conserved among vertebrate insulins. In this companion study, we describe 1 H and 1 H- 13 C NMR studies of the peptides; key NMR resonance assignments were verified by synthetic 13 C-labeling. Parent spectra retain nativelike features in the neighborhood of the single disulfide bridge (cystine B19-A20), including secondary NMR chemical shifts and nonlocal nuclear Overhauser effects. This partial fold engages wild-type side chains Leu B15 , Leu A16 and Phe B24 at the nexus of nativelike α-helices α 1 and α 3 (as defined in native proinsulin) and flanking β-strand (residues B24-B26). The variant peptides exhibit successive structural perturbations in order: parent (most organized) > Ser B24 >> Pro A16 > Pro B15 (least organized). The same order pertains to (a) overall α-helix content as probed by circular dichroism, (b) synthetic yields of corresponding three-disulfide insulin analogs, and (c) ER stress induced in cell culture by corresponding mutant proinsulins. These findings suggest that this and related peptide models will provide a general platform for classification of MIDY mutations based on molecular mechanisms by which nascent disulfide pairing is impaired. We propose that the syndrome's variable phenotypic spectrum-onsets ranging from the neonatal period to later in childhood or adolescence-reflects structural features of respective folding intermediates., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Yang, Glidden, Dhayalan, Zaykov, Chen, Wickramasinghe, DiMarchi and Weiss.)

Proteins have evolved to be foldable, and yet determinants of foldability may be inapparent once the native state is reached. Insight has emerged from studies of diseases of protein misfolding, exemplified by monogenic diabetes mellitus due to mutations in proinsulin leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress and β-cell death. Cellular foldability of human proinsulin requires an invariant Phe within a conserved crevice at the receptor-binding surface (position B24). Any substitution, even related aromatic residue Tyr B24 , impairs insulin biosynthesis and secretion. As a seeming paradox, a monomeric Tyr B24 insulin analog exhibits a native-like structure in solution with only a modest decrement in stability. Packing of Tyr B24 is similar to that of Phe B24 , adjoining core cystine B19-A20 to seal the core; the analog also exhibits native self-assembly. Although affinity for the insulin receptor is decreased ∼20-fold, biological activities in cells and rats were within the range of natural variation. Together, our findings suggest that the invariance of Phe B24 among vertebrate insulins and insulin-like growth factors reflects an essential role in enabling efficient protein folding, trafficking, and secretion, a function that is inapparent in native structures. In particular, we envision that the para -hydroxyl group of Tyr B24 hinders pairing of cystine B19-A20 in an obligatory on-pathway folding intermediate. The absence of genetic variation at B24 and other conserved sites near this disulfide bridge-excluded due to β-cell dysfunction-suggests that insulin has evolved to the edge of foldability. Nonrobustness of a protein's fitness landscape underlies both a rare monogenic syndrome and "diabesity" as a pandemic disease of civilization., Competing Interests: Competing interest statement: M.A.W. has equity in Thermalin, Inc. (Cleveland, OH), where he serves as Chief Innovation Officer. N.B.P. is a consultant to Thermalin, Inc. F.I.-B. has equity in Thermalin, Inc. and is a consultant to Sanofi, Covance, and Novo Nordisk.

Abnormal interactions between misfolded mutant and wild-type (WT) proinsulin (PI) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) drive the molecular pathogenesis of mutant INS gene-induced diabetes of youth (MIDY). How these abnormal interactions are initiated remains unknown. Normally, PI-WT dimerizes in the ER. Here, we suggest that the normal PI-PI contact surface, involving the B-chain, contributes to dominant-negative effects of misfolded MIDY mutants. Specifically, we find that PI B-chain tyrosine-16 (Tyr-B16), which is a key residue in normal PI dimerization, helps confer dominant-negative behavior of MIDY mutant PI-C(A7)Y. Substitutions of Tyr-B16 with either Ala, Asp, or Pro in PI-C(A7)Y decrease the abnormal interactions between the MIDY mutant and PI-WT, rescuing PI-WT export, limiting ER stress, and increasing insulin production in β-cells and human islets. This study reveals the first evidence indicating that noncovalent PI-PI contact initiates dominant-negative behavior of misfolded PI, pointing to a novel therapeutic target to enhance PI-WT export and increase insulin production., (© 2020 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Key contributions to protein structure and stability are provided by weakly polar interactions, which arise from asymmetric electronic distributions within amino acids and peptide bonds. Of particular interest are aromatic side chains whose directional π-systems commonly stabilize protein interiors and interfaces. Here, we consider aromatic-aromatic interactions within a model protein assembly: the dimer interface of insulin. Semi-classical simulations of aromatic-aromatic interactions at this interface suggested that substitution of residue Tyr B26 by Trp would preserve native structure while enhancing dimerization (and hence hexamer stability). The crystal structure of a [Trp B26 ]insulin analog (determined as a T 3 R f 3 zinc hexamer at a resolution of 2.25 Å) was observed to be essentially identical to that of WT insulin. Remarkably and yet in general accordance with theoretical expectations, spectroscopic studies demonstrated a 150-fold increase in the in vitro lifetime of the variant hexamer, a critical pharmacokinetic parameter influencing design of long-acting formulations. Functional studies in diabetic rats indeed revealed prolonged action following subcutaneous injection. The potency of the Trp B26 -modified analog was equal to or greater than an unmodified control. Thus, exploiting a general quantum-chemical feature of protein structure and stability, our results exemplify a mechanism-based approach to the optimization of a therapeutic protein assembly., (© 2018 Rege et al.)

Thermal degradation of insulin complicates its delivery and use. Previous efforts to engineer ultra-stable analogs were confounded by prolonged cellular signaling in vivo , of unclear safety and complicating mealtime therapy. We therefore sought an ultra-stable analog whose potency and duration of action on intravenous bolus injection in diabetic rats are indistinguishable from wild-type (WT) insulin. Here, we describe the structure, function, and stability of such an analog, a 57-residue single-chain insulin (SCI) with multiple acidic substitutions. Cell-based studies revealed native-like signaling properties with negligible mitogenic activity. Its crystal structure, determined as a novel zinc-free hexamer at 2.8 Å, revealed a native insulin fold with incomplete or absent electron density in the C domain; complementary NMR studies are described in the accompanying article. The stability of the analog (Δ G U 5.0(±0.1) kcal/mol at 25 °C) was greater than that of WT insulin (3.3(±0.1) kcal/mol). On gentle agitation, the SCI retained full activity for >140 days at 45 °C and >48 h at 75 °C. These findings indicate that marked resistance to thermal inactivation in vitro is compatible with native duration of activity in vivo Further, whereas WT insulin forms large and heterogeneous aggregates above the standard 0.6 mm pharmaceutical strength, perturbing the pharmacokinetic properties of concentrated formulations, dynamic light scattering, and size-exclusion chromatography revealed only limited SCI self-assembly and aggregation in the concentration range 1-7 mm Such a combination of favorable biophysical and biological properties suggests that SCIs could provide a global therapeutic platform without a cold chain., (© 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

Domain-minimized insulin receptors (IRs) have enabled crystallographic analysis of insulin-bound "micro-receptors." In such structures, the C-terminal segment of the insulin B chain inserts between conserved IR domains, unmasking an invariant receptor-binding surface that spans both insulin A and B chains. This "open" conformation not only rationalizes the inactivity of single-chain insulin (SCI) analogs (in which the A and B chains are directly linked), but also suggests that connecting (C) domains of sufficient length will bind the IR. Here, we report the high-resolution solution structure and dynamics of such an active SCI. The hormone's closed-to-open transition is foreshadowed by segmental flexibility in the native state as probed by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and multiple conformer simulations of crystallographic protomers as described in the companion article. We propose a model of the SCI's IR-bound state based on molecular-dynamics simulations of a micro-receptor complex. In this model, a loop defined by the SCI's B and C domains encircles the C-terminal segment of the IR α-subunit. This binding mode predicts a conformational transition between an ultra-stable closed state (in the free hormone) and an active open state (on receptor binding). Optimization of this switch within an ultra-stable SCI promises to circumvent insulin's complex global cold chain. The analog's biphasic activity, which serendipitously resembles current premixed formulations of soluble insulin and microcrystalline suspension, may be of particular utility in the developing world., (© 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

Insulin provides a classical model of a globular protein, yet how the hormone changes conformation to engage its receptor has long been enigmatic. Interest has focused on the C-terminal B-chain segment, critical for protective self-assembly in β cells and receptor binding at target tissues. Insight may be obtained from truncated "microreceptors" that reconstitute the primary hormone-binding site (α-subunit domains L1 and αCT). We demonstrate that, on microreceptor binding, this segment undergoes concerted hinge-like rotation at its B20-B23 β-turn, coupling reorientation of Phe(B24) to a 60° rotation of the B25-B28 β-strand away from the hormone core to lie antiparallel to the receptor's L1-β2 sheet. Opening of this hinge enables conserved nonpolar side chains (Ile(A2), Val(A3), Val(B12), Phe(B24), and Phe(B25)) to engage the receptor. Restraining the hinge by nonstandard mutagenesis preserves native folding but blocks receptor binding, whereas its engineered opening maintains activity at the price of protein instability and nonnative aggregation. Our findings rationalize properties of clinical mutations in the insulin family and provide a previously unidentified foundation for designing therapeutic analogs. We envisage that a switch between free and receptor-bound conformations of insulin evolved as a solution to conflicting structural determinants of biosynthesis and function.

Mammalian testis-determining factor SRY contains a high mobility group box, a conserved eukaryotic motif of DNA bending. Mutations in SRY cause XY gonadal dysgenesis and somatic sex reversal. Although such mutations usually arise de novo in spermatogenesis, some are inherited and so specify male development in one genetic background (the father) but not another (the daughter). Here, we describe the biophysical properties of a representative inherited mutation, V60L, within the minor wing of the L-shaped domain (box position 5). Although the stability and DNA binding properties of the mutant domain are similar to those of wild type, studies of SRY-induced DNA bending by subnanosecond time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) revealed enhanced conformational fluctuations leading to long range variation in bend angle. (1)H NMR studies of the variant protein-DNA complex demonstrated only local perturbations near the mutation site. Because the minor wing of SRY folds on DNA binding, the inherited mutation presumably hinders induced fit. Stopped-flow FRET studies indicated that such frustrated packing leads to accelerated dissociation of the bent complex. Studies of SRY-directed transcriptional regulation in an embryonic gonadal cell line demonstrated partial activation of downstream target Sox9. Our results have demonstrated a nonlocal coupling between DNA-directed protein folding and protein-directed DNA bending. Perturbation of this coupling is associated with a genetic switch poised at the threshold of activity.

Recently, a syndrome of Mutant INS-gene-induced Diabetes of Youth (MIDY, derived from one of 26 distinct mutations) has been identified as a cause of insulin-deficient diabetes, resulting from expression of a misfolded mutant proinsulin protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Genetic deletion of one, two, or even three alleles encoding insulin in mice does not necessarily lead to diabetes. Yet MIDY patients are INS-gene heterozygotes; inheritance of even one MIDY allele, causes diabetes. Although a favored explanation for the onset of diabetes is that insurmountable ER stress and ER stress response from the mutant proinsulin causes a net loss of beta cells, in this report we present three surprising and interlinked discoveries. First, in the presence of MIDY mutants, an increased fraction of wild-type proinsulin becomes recruited into nonnative disulfide-linked protein complexes. Second, regardless of whether MIDY mutations result in the loss, or creation, of an extra unpaired cysteine within proinsulin, Cys residues in the mutant protein are nevertheless essential in causing intracellular entrapment of co-expressed wild-type proinsulin, blocking insulin production. Third, while each of the MIDY mutants induces ER stress and ER stress response; ER stress and ER stress response alone appear insufficient to account for blockade of wild-type proinsulin. While there is general agreement that ultimately, as diabetes progresses, a significant loss of beta cell mass occurs, the early events described herein precede cell death and loss of beta cell mass. We conclude that the molecular pathogenesis of MIDY is initiated by perturbation of the disulfide-coupled folding pathway of wild-type proinsulin.

We present an approach that accelerates protein solid-state NMR 5-20-fold using paramagnetic doping to condense data-collection time (to approximately 0.2 s per scan), overcoming a long-standing limitation on slow recycling owing to intrinsic (1)H T(1) longitudinal spin relaxation. Using low-power schemes under magic-angle spinning at 40 kHz, we obtained two-dimensional (13)C-(13)C and (13)C-(15)N solid-state NMR spectra for several to tens of nanomoles of beta-amyloid fibrils and ubiquitin in 1-2 d.

High-resolution solid-state NMR (SSNMR) of paramagnetic systems has been largely unexplored because of various technical difficulties due to large hyperfine shifts, which have limited the success of previous studies through depressed sensitivity/resolution and lack of suitable assignment methods. Our group recently introduced an approach using "very fast" magic angle spinning (VFMAS) for SSNMR of paramagnetic systems, which opened an avenue toward routine analyses of small paramagnetic systems by (13)C and (1)H SSNMR [Y. Ishii et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 3438 (2003); N. P. Wickramasinghe et al., ibid. 127, 5796 (2005)]. In this review, we discuss our recent progress in establishing this approach, which offers solutions to a series of problems associated with large hyperfine shifts. First, we demonstrate that MAS at a spinning speed of 20 kHz or higher greatly improves sensitivity and resolution in both (1)H and (13)C SSNMR for paramagnetic systems such as Cu(II)(DL-alanine)(2)H(2)O (Cu(DL-Ala)(2)) and Mn(acac)(3), for which the spectral dispersions due to (1)H hyperfine shifts reach 200 and 700 ppm, respectively. Then, we introduce polarization transfer methods from (1)H spins to (13)C spins with high-power cross polarization and dipolar insensitive nuclei enhanced by polarization transfer (INEPT) in order to attain further sensitivity enhancement and to correlate (1)H and (13)C spins in two-dimensional (2D) SSNMR for the paramagnetic systems. Comparison of (13)C VFMAS SSNMR spectra with (13)C solution NMR spectra revealed superior sensitivity in SSNMR for Cu(DL-Ala)(2), Cu(Gly)(2), and V(acac)(3). We discuss signal assignment methods using one-dimensional (1D) (13)C SSNMR (13)C-(1)H rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) and dipolar INEPT methods and 2D (13)C(1)H correlation SSNMR under VFMAS, which yield reliable assignments of (1)H and (13)C resonances for Cu(Ala-Thr). Based on the excellent sensitivity/resolution and signal assignments attained in the VFMAS approach, we discuss methods of elucidating multiple distance constraints in unlabeled paramagnetic systems by combing simple measurements of (13)C T(1) values and anisotropic hyperfine shifts. Comparison of experimental (13)C hyperfine shifts and ab initio calculated shifts for alpha- and beta-forms of Cu(8-quinolinol)(2) demonstrates that (13)C hyperfine shifts are parameters exceptionally sensitive to small structural difference between the two polymorphs. Finally, we discuss sensitivity enhancement with paramagnetic ion doping in (13)C SSNMR of nonparamagnetic proteins in microcrystals. Fast recycling with exceptionally short recycle delays matched to short (1)H T(1) of approximately 60 ms in the presence of Cu(II) doping accelerated 1D (13)C SSNMR for ubiquitin and lysozyme by a factor of 7.3-8.4 under fast MAS at a spinning speed of 40 kHz. It is likely that the VFMAS approach and use of paramagnetic interactions are applicable to a variety of paramagnetic systems and nonparamagnetic biomolecules.

The use of a low-power two-pulse phase modulation (TPPM) sequence is proposed for efficient (1)H radio frequency (rf) decoupling in high-resolution (13)C solid-state NMR (SSNMR) under fast MAS conditions. Decoupling efficiency for different low-power decoupling sequences such as continuous-wave (cw), TPPM, XiX, and π-pulse (PIPS) train decoupling has been investigated at a spinning speed of 40 kHz for (13)C CPMAS spectra of uniformly (13)C- and (15)N-labeled L-alanine. It was found that the TPPM decoupling sequence, which was originally designed for high-power decoupling, provides the best decoupling efficiency at low power among all the low-power decoupling sequences examined here. Optimum performance of the low-power TPPM sequence was found to be obtained at a decoupling field intensity (ω(1)) of ~ω(R)/4 with a pulse flip angle of ~π and a phase alternation between ± [Symbol: see text]([Symbol: see text] = 20° ), where ω(R)/2π is the spinning speed. The sensitivity obtained for (13) CO(2)(-), (13)CH, and (13)CH(3) in L-alanine under low-power TPPM at ω(1)/2π of 10 kHz was only 5-15% less than that under high-power TPPM at ω(1) /2π of 200 kHz, despite the fact that only 0.25% of the rf power was required in low-power TPPM. Analysis of the (13)CH(2) signals for uniformly (13) C- and (15) N-labeled L-isoleucine under various low-power decoupling sequences also confirmed superior performance of the low-power TPPM sequence, although the intensity obtained by low-power TPPM was 61% of that obtained by high-power TPPM. (13)C CPMAS spectra of (13)C-labeled ubiquitin micro crystals obtained by low-power TPPM demonstrates that the low-power TPPM sequence is a practical option that provides excellent resolution and sensitivity in (13)C SSNMR for hydrated proteins., (Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

We discuss a simple approach to enhance sensitivity for (13)C high-resolution solid-state NMR for proteins in microcrystals by reducing (1)H T(1) relaxation times with paramagnetic relaxation reagents. It was shown that (1)H T(1) values can be reduced from 0.4-0.8s to 60-70 ms for ubiquitin and lysozyme in D(2)O in the presence of 10 mM Cu(II)Na(2)EDTA without substantial degradation of the resolution in (13)C CPMAS spectra. Faster signal accumulation using the shorter (1)H T(1) attained by paramagnetic doping provided sensitivity enhancements of 1.4-2.9 for these proteins, reducing the experimental time for a given signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 2.0-8.4. This approach presented here is likely to be applicable to various other proteins in order to enhance sensitivity in (13)C high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Despite success of previous studies, high-resolution solid-state NMR (SSNMR) of paramagnetic systems has been still largely unexplored because of limited sensitivity/resolution and difficulty in assignment due to large paramagnetic shifts. Recently, we demonstrated that an approach using very-fast magic angle spinning (VFMAS; spinning speed 20kHz) enhances resolution/sensitivity in (13)C SSNMR for paramagnetic complexes [Y. Ishii, S. Chimon, N.P. Wickramasinghe, A new approach in 1D and 2D (13)C high resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy of paramagnetic organometallic complexes by very fast magic-angle spinning, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125 (2003) 3438-3439]. In this study, we present a new strategy for sensitivity enhancement, signal assignment, and distance measurement in (13)C SSNMR under VFMAS for unlabeled paramagnetic complexes using recoupling-based polarization transfer. As a robust alternative of cross-polarization (CP), rapid application of recoupling-based polarization transfer under VFMAS is proposed. In the present approach, a dipolar-based analog of INEPT (dipolar INEPT) methods is used for polarization transfer and a (13)C signal is observed under VFMAS without (1)H decoupling. The resulting low duty factor permits rapid signal accumulation without probe arcing at recycle times ( approximately 3 ms/scan) matched to short (1)H T(1) values of small paramagnetic systems ( approximately 1 ms). Experiments on Cu(dl-Ala)(2) showed that the fast repetition approach under VFMAS provided sensitivity enhancement by a factor of 8-66 for a given sample, compared with the (13)C MAS spectrum under moderate MAS at 5kHz. The applicability of this approach was also demonstrated for a more challenging system, Mn(acac)(3), for which (13)C and (1)H paramagnetic shift dispersions reach 1500 and 700 ppm, respectively. It was shown that effective-evolution-time dependence of transferred signals in dipolar INEPT permitted one to distinguish (13)CH, (13)CH(2), (13)CH(3), (13)CO2- groups in 1D experiments for Cu(DL-Ala)(2) and Cu(Gly)(2). Applications of this technique to 2D (13)C/(1)H correlation NMR under VFMAS yielded reliable assignments of (1)H resonances as well as (13)C resonances for Cu(DL-Ala)(2) and Mn(acac)(3). Quantitative analysis of cross-peak intensities in 2D (13)C/(1)H correlation NMR spectra of Cu(DL-Ala)(2) provided distance information between non-bonded (13)C-(1)H pairs in the paramagnetic system.

High-resolution NMR spectroscopy for paramagnetic complexes in solids has been rarely performed because of its limited sensitivity and resolution due to large paramagnetic shifts and associated technical difficulties. The present study demonstrates that magic angle spinning (MAS) at speeds exceeding 20 kHz provides unusually high sensitivity and excellent resolution in 1H solid-state NMR (SSNMR) for paramagnetic systems. Spinning-speed dependence of 1H MAS spectra showed that very fast MAS (VFMAS) at 24-28 kHz enhanced sensitivity by a factor of 12-18, compared with the sensitivity of 1H SSNMR spectra under moderate MAS at 10 kHz, for Cu(dl-alanine)2.H2O and Mn(acac)3, for which the spectral ranges due to 1H paramagnetic shifts reach 200 and 1000 ppm, respectively. It was theoretically and experimentally confirmed that the absolute sensitivity of 1H VFMAS for small paramagnetic complexes such as Cu(dl-alanine)2 can be an order of magnitude higher than that of equimolar diamagnetic ligands because of short 1H T1 ( approximately 1 ms) of the paramagnetic systems and improved sensitivity under VFMAS. On the basis of this demonstrated high sensitivity, 1H SSNMR micro analysis of paramagnetic systems in a nanomole scale is proposed. Applications were performed on two polymorphs of Cu(II)(8-quinolinol)2, which is a suppressor of human cancer cells. It was demonstrated that 1H VFMAS SSNMR spectra accumulated for 20 nmol of the polycrystalline samples in 10 min enabled one to distinguish alpha- and beta-forms of Cu(II)(8-quinolinol)2 on the basis of shift positions and line widths.

Novel 1D and multidimensional solid-state NMR (SSNMR) methods using very fast magic-angle spinning (VFMAS) (spinning speed > 20 kHz) for performing 13C high-resolution SSNMR of paramagnetic organometallic complexes are discussed. VFMAS removes a majority of 13C-1H and 1H-1H dipolar couplings, which are often difficult to remove by RF pulse techniques in paramagnetic complexes because of large paramagnetic shifts. In the first systematic approach using the unique feature of VFMAS for paramagnetic complexes, we demonstrate a means of obtaining well-resolved 1D and multidimensional 13C SSNMR spectra, sensitivity enhancements via cross polarization, and signal assignments, and applications of dipolar recoupling methods for nonlabeled paramagnetic organometallic complexes of moderate paramagnetic shifts ( approximately 800 ppm). Experimental results for powder samples of small nonlabeled coordination complexes at 1H frequencies of 400.2-400.3 MHz show that highly resolved 13C SSNMR spectra can be obtained under VFMAS, without requirements of 1H decoupling. Sensitivity enhancement in 13C SSNMR via cross polarization from 1H spins was demonstrated with an amplitude-sweep high-power CP sequence using strong RF fields ( approximately 100 kHz) available in the VFMAS probe. 13C CPMAS spectra of nonlabeled Cu(II)(dl-alanine)2.(H2O) and V(III)(acetylacetonate)3 (V(acac)3) show that it is possible to obtain high-resolution spectra for a small quantity ( approximately 15 mg) of nonlabeled paramagnetic organometal complexes within a few minutes under VFMAS. Experiments on Cu(II)(dl-alanine)2.(H2O) demonstrated that 1H-13C dipolar recoupling for paramagnetic organometal complexes can be performed under VFMAS by application of rotor-synchronous pi-pulses to 1H and 13C spins. The results also showed that signal assignments for 13CH, 13CH3, and 13CO groups in paramagnetic complexes are possible on the basis of the amount of 13C-1H dipolar dephasing induced by dipolar recoupling. Furthermore, the experimental 2D 13C/1H chemical-shift correlation NMR spectrum obtained for nonlabeled V(acac)3 exhibits well-resolved lines, which overlap in 1D 13C and 1H spectra. Signals for different chemical groups in the 2D spectrum are distinguished by the 13C-1H dipolar dephasing method combined with the 2D 13C/1H correlation NMR. The assignments offer information on the existence of nonequivalent ligands in the coordination complex in solids, without requiring a single-crystal sample.