EPR techniques for studying radical enzymes

EPR studies on radical enzymes are reviewed under the aspects of the information that they can provide and of the techniques that are used. An overview of organic radicals derived from amino acids, modified amino acids, and cofactors is given and g tensor data are compiled. The information accessible from a spectroscopic point of view is contrasted with the information required to understand enzyme structure and function, and some precautions are discussed that must be taken to derive the latter kind of information from the former. Structural dynamics is identified as an aspect that has rarely been addressed in the past although it is highly relevant for enzyme function. It is proposed that techniques introduced recently on other classes of proteins could help to close this gap. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.