The three-dimensional structure of calmodulin in the absence of Ca2+ has been determined by three- and four-dimensional heteronuclear NMR experiments, including ROE, isotope-filtering combined with reverse labelling, and measurement of more than 700 three-bond J-couplings. In analogy with the Ca(2+)-ligated state of this protein, it consists of two small globular domains separated by a flexible linker, with no stable, direct contacts between the two domains. In the absence of Ca2+, the four helices in each of the two globular domains form a highly twisted bundle, capped by a short anti-parallel beta-sheet. This arrangement is qualitatively similar to that observed in the crystal structure of the Ca(2+)-free N-terminal domain of troponin C.

Two new methods are described for the measurement of three-bond JHNH alpha couplings in proteins isotopically enriched with 15N. Both methods leave the water magnetization in an unsaturated state, parallel to the z-axis, and therefore offer significant enhancements in sensitivity for rapidly exchanging backbone amide protons. The J couplings can be measured either from a set of constant-time 2D 1H-15N HMQC spectra, which are modulated in intensity by JHNH alpha, or from a water-flip-back version of the 3D HNHA experiment. The method is demonstrated for a sample of calcium-free calmodulin. Residues Lys75-Asp80 have JHNH alpha values in the 6-7 Hz range, suggesting that a break in the 'central helix' occurs at the same position as previously observed in solution NMR studies of Ca(2+)-ligated calmodulin.

The three-dimensional structure of the C-terminal domain (47 residues) obtained from the hydrolysis of H-NS protein with bovine trypsin was determined by NMR measurements and distance geometry calculations. It is composed of an antiparallel B-sheet, an a-helix and a 31o-helix which form a hydrophobic core, stabilizing the whole structure. This domain has been found to bind to DNA. Possible DNA binding sites are discussed on the basis of the solution structure of the C-terminal domain of H-NS.