A novel 15N-labeling method to selectively observe 15NH2 resonances of proteins in 1H-detected heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy.

An experimental method to selectively label side-chain NH2 groups of glutamine and asparagine in proteins with 15N is proposed. This selective labeling method enables to observe only 15NH2 resonances and thus, to discriminate between 15NH and 15NH2 resonances in a 1H-detected heteronuclear correlation spectrum. This method gives results with approximately two times higher sensitivity than those obtained by elaborate pulse sequences such as DEPT-HSQC and will be useful for studying the molecular interaction involving the side chains of Asn and Gln residues.