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EPR in Protein Science

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

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Book cover EPR Spectroscopy

Part of the book series: Topics in Current Chemistry ((TOPCURRCHEM,volume 321))

Abstract

Abstract

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) form a unique protein category characterized by the absence of a well-defined structure and by remarkable conformational flexibility. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy combined with site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) is amongst the most suitable methods to unravel their structure and dynamics. This review summarizes the tremendous methodological developments in the area of SDSL EPR and its applications in protein research. Recent results on the intrinsically disordered Parkinson’s disease protein α-synuclein illustrate that the method has gained increasing attention in IDP research. SDSL EPR has now reached a level where broad application in this rapidly advancing field is feasible.

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Acknowledgements

I am indebted to C. Jao, J. Freed, G. Jeschke, and R. Langen for permission to reproduce figures. I wish to thank Dr. Martina Huber and Prof. Dr. Vinod Subramaniam for a longstanding cooperation, Marco Wassmer, Martin Spitzbarth, and Christian Hintze for designing figures, and Gunnar Jeschke and the EPR people in Konstanz for fruitful discussions.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Zukunftskolleg, and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany

    Malte Drescher

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Correspondence to Malte Drescher .

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  1. , Fachbereich Chemie, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, 78457, Germany

    Malte Drescher

  2. , Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland

    Gunnar Jeschke

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Drescher, M. (2011). EPR in Protein Science. In: Drescher, M., Jeschke, G. (eds) EPR Spectroscopy. Topics in Current Chemistry, vol 321. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/128_2011_235

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