Protein oligomerization state

In order to correctly interpret NOESY data during structure determination it is necessary to know the oligomerization state of the protein at NMR conditions. This can sometimes be challenging, especially in the case of mixtures of monomers and oligomers, and specific or non-specific aggregation.

To make a conclusion about the oligomerization state of a protein one should consider results from several different methods.

The following methods are used within the NESG consortium:

1. SDS page gel
2. Gel filtration and static light scattering
   
3. Rotational correlation time (τ_c) and NMR relaxation measurement
4. Sedimentation equilibrium