Work

Spins Afar - Long-Range Pulse Dipolar EPR Spectroscopy Uncovers Curvature in TRIM25’s Coiled Coil

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Pulse Dipolar Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (PDS) is a powerful method for determining nanometer distances in biomolecular systems. This methodology has been successfully used to validate structure hypotheses and to identify disorder. However, inherent distance limitations are under-explored. Many challenging biomolecular applications require long distance information, driving the need for a benchmarking study. We demonstrate distances up to 10.5 nm in TRIM25 reliably extracted from data obtained under standard sample conditions. By protein perdeuteration accurate distance measurements up to 17.3 nm were enabled. Enhancing sensitivity through optimization of the measurement and sample preparation conditions the achievable dipolar evolution time was extended to 150 µs. Thus, distances close to 20 nm should become experimentally accessible, highlighting the potential of advanced PDS methodologies for probing previously inaccessible long-range structural information in complex systems.

Source: ChemRxiv

DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.15005090/v2

Authors: Yannik Limbach, Katrin Ackermann, Aisika Chakraborty, David G. Norman, Bela E. Bode

Institutions: University of Bonn, University of St Andrews, University of Dundee

Language: English

Topic: Electron Spin Resonance Studies

Subfield: Spectroscopy

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of St Andrews, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Award: Supramolecular structure predictions validated from sparse experimental data

OpenAlex ID: W7216215284

Cites: 2

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Related to: 10