H-1, N-15 AND C-13 NMR ASSIGNMENTS OF THE 434 REPRESSOR FRAGMENTS 1-63 AND 44-63 UNFOLDED IN 7-M UREA

An E coli overexpression system for the N-terminal domain of the 434 repressor with residues 1-63 (434 repressor(1-63)) was constructed and used to produce this polypeptide with uniform N-15-labeling. and with C-13-labeling of the methyl groups of valine and leucine. Using these protein preparations almost complete sequence-specific resonance assignments were obtained for the urea-unfolded form of the 434 repressor(1-63). In addition, the isotope-labeled tryptic peptide, 44-63, was produced by enzymatic cleavage of the recombinant 434 repressor(1-63). and its NMR spectrum was assigned. Corresponding residues in 434 repressor(1-63) and 434 repressor(44-63) in 7 M urea were found to have nearly identical chemical shifts, and in both species similar deviations from H-1 random coil shifts were found as previously in 434 repressor(1-69). These indicate the presence of residual non-random structure in the polypeptide segment 50-60. The present NMR assignments, which include stereospecific assignments for the diastereotopic methyl groups of Val and Leu, are the basis for detailed studies of this residual structure in the urea-unfolded form of the 434 repressor.