Resonance Assignment/Abacus/Spin systems identification

Normally, the NMR spectra shown in Table 1 are collected for ABCUS. Spectra should ideally be collected from the same protein preparation and under the same conditions to make sure peaks are within tolerance between spectra. All spectra need to be appropriately synchronized and calibrated against reference spectra of your choice. It is a good idea to use as a reference for spectra calibration the 2D HN-projection of 15N-NOESY and the 2D CH-projection of the 13C-NOESY.

 

Step 1. Generate HN-rooted spin-systems (bPB-fragments)

 

          1.1  bPB-fragments can be identified using the following spectra

             15N_HSQC

             HNCO

             CBCA(CO)NH

             HBHAC (CO)NH

             HNCA

            15N_NOESY

 It is a good idea to analyze all these spectra simultaneously, for example,  using SPARKY, in order to obtain  peak lists of 15N_HSQC, HNCA,  and CBCA(CO)HN spectra (see Figure 4.1A). The first two spectra should be referenced.

 

Figure 4.1A

  

    

        1.2. Create initial HN-rooted spin-systems (<span />bPB-fragments ) using FMCGUI:

 

•        start new project PRJ_1 { Poject>new }
•        load protein sequence { DATA>Protein Sequence>load }
•        load referenced HNCA peak list { DATA>HNCA>load }
  
•        load referenced CBCA(CO)NH peak list { DATA>CBCACONH>load }
  
•        load referenced HBHA(CO)NH peak list { DATA>HBHACONH>load }
•        load referenced 15N_HSQC peak list { DATA>N15 HSQC>load }
  
•        set tolerances for matching of resonances in different spectral dimensions { DATA>Tolerances }
  
•        create bPB-fragments { Fragment>create>fawn }
  

First, a referenced C13_hsqc peak list is created and shown in new window ‘fake C13 HSQC’. Warning messages are shown in the project main window. You have to check the list and modify it if needed. Then, press ‘OK’ button in the ‘‘fake C13 HSQC’ window. In the result, new window ‘Create Fragment’ pops up. The window consists of three sections. The left sections contains suggested bPB-fragments, while the other sections contains two reports of fragments scoring with both C and H resonances and with only C resonances, respectively. Consider warning messages shown in the project main window and check/modify generated bPB-fragments in the left section of “Create Fragment” window. When satisfied, the bPB-fragments will be loaded in the memory by clicking on “OK” button.

•        save project PRJ_1. { Project>Save } or  { Project>Quit }

    

Step 2. Complete PB-fragments

    At this step bPB-fragments are completed with aliphatic side-chain resonances and  additional spin-systems (without HN) are identified using the following spectra.

 

               13C_HSQC

               (H)CCH-TOCSY

               H(C)CH-TOCSY

               13C_NOESY

 

        2.1. Generate expected peak lists for C13HSQC, (H)CCH_TOCSY, and H(C)CH_TOCSY spectra using created bPB-gfragments:

 

•     open project PRJ1 { Project>load }
•     generate expected C13hsqc_exp.list that consists of C_a-H_a and C_b-H_b moieties   { Fragment>Expected Peaks>C13HSQC }
  

•     generate expected CCH_tocsy.list { Fragment>Expected Peaks>(H)CCH }
  
•     generate expected HCH_tocsy.list { Fragment>Expected Peaks>H(C)CH }
  

 

        2.2    Read the generated peaks into SPARKY. 

 

        2.3    Using SPARKY, complete bPB-fragments with aliphatic side-chain resonances by analyzing C_a-H_a and C_b-H_b strips in all CH_rooted spectra (see Figure 4.1B,C). New resonances should be peaked and referenced only in 13C_HSQC spectrum.

 

Figure 4.1B,C

       

2.4    When all peaks corresponding to HN-rooted spin-systems are peaked in 13C_HSQC spectrum, the unpicked peaks are used as a starting point for identification of spin-systems without backbone HN resonances (PB-fragments corresponding to residues before prolines in the protein sequence, last residue and residues missing in HN-rooted spectra).

 

Step 3. Spin-systems validation and correction

 

Validate PB-fragments using FMCGUI:

•         start a new project PRJ2 [Project>new]
•         load protein sequence [DATA>Protein Sequence>load]
•         load referenced 15N_HSQC peak list [DATA>N15 HSQC>load]
•         load referenced 13C_HSQC peak list [DATA>C13 HSQC>load]
•         load referenced HNCA peak list [DATA>HNCA>load]
•         load  CBCA(CO)HN peak list [DATA>CBCACOHN>load]
•         load  HNCO peak list [DATA>HNCO>load]
•         set tolerances for matching of resonances in different spectral dimensions [DATA>Tolerances]
•         create PB-fragments [Fragment>create>abacus]

This command starts script ‘sps_create’. In the result, a new window ‘Create Fragment’ pops up. The warning messages of the ‘sps_create’ script are shown in the main window and indicate spin-system that have low score, namely, S_max < 10^-4. Following the warnings check and modify, if necessary, generated PB-fragments in the left section of “Create Fragment’ window (see Figure 2.5). Alternatively, go back to spectra, fix peak lists accordingly, and repeat the fragment generation/validation again.

When satisfied, the PB-fragments will be saved (file ‘sps_pb.dat’ into directory PRJ2/sps) and loaded in the memory by pressing OK button in “Create Fragment” window.

•        save project PRJ2 [Project>Save] or [Project>Quit]