Controlling and exploiting intrinsic unpaired electrons in metalloproteins #EPR

Published: Friday, 17 June 2022 - 10:00 -0400

Author: Thorsten Maly

After 17 years of doing DNP I still can’t stop reading EPR literature ….

Richardson, Katherine H., Maryam Seif-Eddine, Adam Sills, and Maxie M. Roessler. “Chapter Eight - Controlling and Exploiting Intrinsic Unpaired Electrons in Metalloproteins.” In Methods in Enzymology, edited by R. David Britt, 666:233–96. Advances in Biomolecular EPR. Academic Press, 2022.

https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.mie.2022.02.014.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy encompasses a versatile set of techniques that allow detailed insight into intrinsically occurring paramagnetic centers in metalloproteins and enzymes that undergo oxidation-reduction reactions. In this chapter, we discuss the process from isolating the protein to acquiring and analyzing pulse EPR spectra, adopting a practical perspective. We start with considerations when preparing the protein sample, explain techniques and procedures available for determining the reduction potential of the redox-active center of interest and provide details on methodologies to trap a given paramagnetic state for detailed pulse EPR studies, with an emphasis on biochemical and spectroscopic tools available when multiple EPR-active species are present. We elaborate on some of the most commonly used pulse EPR techniques and the choices the user has to make, considering advantages and disadvantages and how to avoid pitfalls. Examples are provided throughout.