Technology Review - Structure Determination of Proteins in Solution by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

• Published in: Journal of postgraduate medicine (Bombay) Vol. 48; no. 1
• Main Author: Chary KVR, Atreya HS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medknow Publications and Staff Society of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India 21-10-2002
• ISSN: 0022-3859

Each cell in the human body consists of a myriad of biological
macromolecules and organelles, which are required for various cellular
functions and metabolism. A key component in such a system comprises of
proteins, which play a crucial role in proper functioning of the cell.
There are an estimated 100,000 different proteins present in the human
body.1 The activity of a protein molecule inside the cell is indirectly
governed by the overall fold of the individual polypeptide chains, or
in other words, their three dimensional (3D) structures in space.2
Thus, the knowledge of the 3D structure of a given protein is most
essential for a complete understanding of its function inside the cell.
Many diseases in humans such as Alzheimers', Parkinsons', Prion
disease, Cystic fibrosis, cancers etc. are attributed as the result of
malfunctioning of proteins.1 Further, knowledge of the 3D structure of
a protein, involved in a disease, is eventually used in designing its
target drugs. Such a sphere of activity is popularly called as
quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR).3