Internal dynamics of human ubiquitin revealed by C-13-relaxation studies of randomly fractionally labeled protein

The use of random, fractional C-13-enrichment combined with low pass filtration has allowed the determination of NMR relaxation parameters at an unprecedented number of sites within recombinant human ubiquitin. Essentially complete H-1, C-13, and N-15 resonance assignments for the protein are reported. Carbon spin lattice and heteronuclear NOE relaxation data have been analyzed in the context of the Lipari-Szabo ''model free'' formalism. The generalized order parameters for 56 main chain alpha C-H vectors have been determined and are found to correspond to the highly restricted motion seen in previous studies of the motion of amide N-H vectors. In distinct contrast, the analysis presented here indicates an unexpected range of dynamics within the interior of the protein. The generalized order parameters of 45 methyl groups of human ubiquitin have been determined. The methyl groups of Thr and Ala residues show generalized order parameters ranging from the Woessner limit (0.111) to below 0.01. Generalized order parameters for all methyl groups of the seven isoleucine residues were determined. With one exception, the generalized order parameters of the gamma methyls were equal to or greater than the corresponding delta methyls, indicating higher mobility away from the main chain. Generalized order parameters for 11 methyl groups of leucine residues were also determined. In six of the seven cases where the generalized order parameters of both prochiral methyl groups were determined, the pro-R methyl consistently shows four valines were also determined. There is no apparent correlation of methyl group prochirality with the value of the generalized order parameter. These data have several implications and generally indicate that the interior of the protein is heterogeneously dynamic.