Chemical Shift Correlation Research Articles

Measurement of State-Specific Association Constants in Allosteric Sensors through Molecular Stapling and NMR.

Allostery is a ubiquitous mechanism to control biological function and arises from the coupling of inhibitory and binding equilibria. The extent of coupling reflects the inactive vs active state selectivity of the allosteric effector. Hence, dissecting allosteric determinants requires quantification of state-specific association constants. However, observed association constants are typically population-averages, reporting on overall affinities but not on allosteric coupling. Here we propose a general method to measure state-specific association constants in allosteric sensors based on three key elements, i.e., state-selective molecular stapling through disulfide bridges, competition binding saturation transfer experiments and chemical shift correlation analyses to gauge state populations. The proposed approach was applied to the prototypical cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA-RIα), for which the structures of the inactive and active states are available, as needed to design the state-selective disulfide bridges. Surprisingly, the PKA-RIα state-specific association constants are comparable to those of a structurally homologous domain with ∼10(3)-fold lower cAMP-affinity, suggesting that the affinity difference arises primarily from changes in the position of the dynamic apo inhibitory equilibrium.

Proton-Detected Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy of Bone with Ultrafast Magic Angle Spinning.

While obtaining high-resolution structural details from bone is highly important to better understand its mechanical strength and the effects of aging and disease on bone ultrastructure, it has been a major challenge to do so with existing biophysical techniques. Though solid-state NMR spectroscopy has the potential to reveal the structural details of bone, it suffers from poor spectral resolution and sensitivity. Nonetheless, recent developments in magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR technology have made it possible to spin solid samples up to 110 kHz frequency. With such remarkable capabilities, 1H-detected NMR experiments that have traditionally been challenging on rigid solids can now be implemented. Here, we report the first application of multidimensional 1H-detected NMR measurements on bone under ultrafast MAS conditions to provide atomistic-level elucidation of the complex heterogeneous structure of bone. Our investigations demonstrate that two-dimensional 1H/1H chemical shift correlation spectra for bone are obtainable using fp-RFDR (finite-pulse radio-frequency-driven dipolar recoupling) pulse sequence under ultrafast MAS. Our results infer that water exhibits distinct 1H−1H dipolar coupling networks with the backbone and side-chain regions in collagen. These results show the promising potential of proton-detected ultrafast MAS NMR for monitoring structural and dynamic changes caused by mechanical loading and disease in bone.

Dynamics-based selective 2D (1)H/(1)H chemical shift correlation spectroscopy under ultrafast MAS conditions.

Dynamics plays important roles in determining the physical, chemical, and functional properties of a variety of chemical and biological materials. However, a material (such as a polymer) generally has mobile and rigid regions in order to have high strength and toughness at the same time. Therefore, it is difficult to measure the role of mobile phase without being affected by the rigid components. Herein, we propose a highly sensitive solid-state NMR approach that utilizes a dipolar-coupling based filter (composed of 12 equally spaced 90° RF pulses) to selectively measure the correlation of (1)H chemical shifts from the mobile regions of a material. It is interesting to find that the rotor-synchronized dipolar filter strength decreases with increasing inter-pulse delay between the 90° pulses, whereas the dipolar filter strength increases with increasing inter-pulse delay under static conditions. In this study, we also demonstrate the unique advantages of proton-detection under ultrafast magic-angle-spinning conditions to enhance the spectral resolution and sensitivity for studies on small molecules as well as multi-phase polymers. Our results further demonstrate the use of finite-pulse radio-frequency driven recoupling pulse sequence to efficiently recouple weak proton-proton dipolar couplings in the dynamic regions of a molecule and to facilitate the fast acquisition of (1)H/(1)H correlation spectrum compared to the traditional 2D NOESY (Nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy) experiment. We believe that the proposed approach is beneficial to study mobile components in multi-phase systems, such as block copolymers, polymer blends, nanocomposites, heterogeneous amyloid mixture of oligomers and fibers, and other materials.

Determination of relative orientation between 1H CSA tensors from a 3D solid-state NMR experiment mediated through 1H/1H RFDR mixing under ultrafast MAS

To obtain piercing insights into inter and intramolecular H-bonding, and π-electron interactions measurement of 1H chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors is gradually becoming an obvious choice. While the magnitude of CSA tensors provides unique information about the local electronic environment surrounding the nucleus, the relative orientation between these tensors can offer further insights into the spatial arrangement of interacting nuclei in their respective three-dimensional (3D) space. In this regard, we present a 3D anisotropic/anisotropic/isotropic proton chemical shift (CSA/CSA/CS) correlation experiment mediated through 1H/1H radio frequency-driven recoupling (RFDR) which enhances spin diffusion through recoupled 1H–1H dipolar couplings under ultrafast magic angle spinning (MAS) frequency (70kHz). Relative orientation between two interacting 1H CSA tensors is obtained by fitting two-interacting 1H CSA tensors by fitting two-dimensional (2D) 1H/1H CSA/CSA spectral slices through extensive numerical simulations. To recouple 1H CSAs in the indirect frequency dimensions of a 3D experiment we have employed γ-encoded radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence based on R-symmetry (R1887) with a series of phase-alternated 2700°–90180° composite-180° pulses on citric acid sample. Due to robustness of applied 1H CSA recoupling sequence towards the presence of RF field inhomogeneity, we have successfully achieved an excellent 1H/1H CSA/CSA cross-correlation efficiency between H-bonded sites of citric acid.

On the problem of resonance assignments in solid state NMR of uniformly 15N, 13C-labeled proteins

Determination of accurate resonance assignments from multidimensional chemical shift correlation spectra is one of the major problems in biomolecular solid state NMR, particularly for relative large proteins with less-than-ideal NMR linewidths. This article investigates the difficulty of resonance assignment, using a computational Monte Carlo/simulated annealing (MCSA) algorithm to search for assignments from artificial three-dimensional spectra that are constructed from the reported isotropic 15N and 13C chemical shifts of two proteins whose structures have been determined by solution NMR methods. The results demonstrate how assignment simulations can provide new insights into factors that affect the assignment process, which can then help guide the design of experimental strategies. Specifically, simulations are performed for the catalytic domain of SrtC (147 residues, primarily β-sheet secondary structure) and the N-terminal domain of MLKL (166 residues, primarily α-helical secondary structure). Assuming unambiguous residue-type assignments and four ideal three-dimensional data sets (NCACX, NCOCX, CONCA, and CANCA), uncertainties in chemical shifts must be less than 0.4ppm for assignments for SrtC to be unique, and less than 0.2ppm for MLKL. Eliminating CANCA data has no significant effect, but additionally eliminating CONCA data leads to more stringent requirements for chemical shift precision. Introducing moderate ambiguities in residue-type assignments does not have a significant effect.

Erratum to: Correlation of chemical shifts predicted by molecular dynamics simulations for partially disordered proteins

Erratum to: Correlation of chemical shifts predicted by molecular dynamics simulations for partially disordered proteins

MAS solid state NMR of proteins: simultaneous ¹⁵N- ¹³CA and ¹⁵N- ¹³CO dipolar recoupling via low-power symmetry-based RF pulse schemes.

The generation of efficient RN n (ν)s,(ν)k symmetry-based low-power RF pulse schemes for simultaneous (15)N-(13)CA and (15)N-(13)CO dipolar recoupling is demonstrated. The method involves mixing schemes employing phase and amplitude-modulated dual band-selective 180° pulses as basic "R" element and tailoring of the RF field-modulation profile of the 180° pulses so as to obtain efficient magnetisation transfer characteristics over the resonance offset range of the nuclei involved. Mixing schemes leading to simultaneous (15)N-(13)CA and (15)N-(13)CO dipolar recoupling would permit the one-shot acquisition of different chemical shift correlation spectra that are typically utilized for protein backbone resonance assignments and thereby save data acquisition time. At representative MAS frequencies the efficacies of the mixing schemes presented here have been experimentally demonstrated via the simultaneous acquisition of {3D CONH and 3D CANH}, {3D CONH and 3D CO(CA)NH} and {3D CONH, 3D CANH, 3D CO(CA)NH and 3D CA(CO)NH} spectra generated via the magnetisation transfer pathways (1)H → (13)CO → (15)N → (1)H (CONH), (1)H → (13)CA → (15)N → (1)H (CANH) and (1)H → (13)CO → (13)CA → (15)N → (1)H (CO(CA)NH) and (1)H → (13)CA → (13)CO → (15)N → (1)H (CA(CO)NH).

Investigating albendazole desmotropes by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Characterization of the molecular structure and physicochemical solid-state properties of the solid forms of pharmaceutical compounds is a key requirement for successful commercialization as potential active ingredients in drug products. These properties can ultimately have a critical effect on the solubility and bioavailability of the final drug product. Here, the desmotropy of Albendazole forms I and II was investigated at the atomic level. Ultrafast magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, together with powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were performed on polycrystalline samples of the two solids in order to fully characterize and distinguish the two forms. High-resolution one-dimensional (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N together with two-dimensional (1)H/(1)H single quantum-single quantum, (1)H/(1)H single quantum-double quantum, and (1)H/(13)C chemical shift correlation solid-state NMR experiments under MAS conditions were extensively used to decipher the intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions present in both solid forms. These experiments enabled the unequivocal identification of the tautomers of each desmotrope. Our results also revealed that both solid forms may be described as dimeric structures, with different intermolecular hydrogen bonds connecting the tautomers in each dimer.

Phase cycling schemes for finite-pulse-RFDR MAS solid state NMR experiments

The finite-pulse radio frequency driven dipolar recoupling (fp-RFDR) pulse sequence is used in 2D homonuclear chemical shift correlation experiments under magic angle spinning (MAS). A recent study demonstrated the advantages of using a short phase cycle, XY4, and its super-cycle, XY414, for the fp-RFDR pulse sequence employed in 2D 1H/1H single-quantum/single-quantum correlation experiments under ultrafast MAS conditions. In this study, we report a comprehensive analysis on the dipolar recoupling efficiencies of XY4, XY412, XY413, XY414, and XY814 phase cycles under different spinning speeds ranging from 10 to 100kHz. The theoretical calculations reveal the presence of second-order terms (T10T2,±2, T1,±1T2,±1, etc.) in the recoupled homonuclear dipolar coupling Hamiltonian only when the basic XY4 phase cycle is utilized, making it advantageous for proton–proton magnetization transfer under ultrafast MAS conditions. It is also found that the recoupling efficiency of fp-RFDR is quite dependent on the duty factor (τ180/τR) as well as on the strength of homonuclear dipolar couplings. The rate of longitudinal magnetization transfer increases linearly with the duty factor of fp-RFDR for all the XY-based phase cycles investigated in this study. Examination of the performances of different phase cycles against chemical shift offset and RF field inhomogeneity effects revealed that XY414 is the most tolerant phase cycle, while the shortest phase cycle XY4 suppressed the RF field inhomogeneity effects most efficiently under slow spinning speeds. Our results suggest that the difference in the fp-RFDR recoupling efficiencies decreases with the increasing MAS speed, while ultrafast (>60kHz) spinning speed is advantageous as it recouples a large amount of homonuclear dipolar couplings and therefore enable fast magnetization exchange. The effects of higher-order terms and cross terms between various interactions in the effective Hamiltonian of fp-RFDR are also analyzed using numerical simulations for various phase cycles. Results obtained via numerical simulations are in excellent agreement with ultrafast MAS experimental results from the powder samples of glycine and l-alanine.

Assignment of the (13)C NMR spectrum by correlation to dipolar coupled proton-pairs and estimation of order parameters of a thiophene based liquid crystal.

Materials with widely varying molecular topologies and exhibiting liquid crystalline properties have attracted considerable attention in recent years. (13)C NMR spectroscopy is a convenient method for studying such novel systems. In this approach the assignment of the spectrum is the first step which is a non-trivial problem. Towards this end, we propose here a method that enables the carbon skeleton of the different sub-units of the molecule to be traced unambiguously. The proposed method uses a heteronuclear correlation experiment to detect pairs of nearby carbons with attached protons in the liquid crystalline core through correlation of the carbon chemical shifts to the double-quantum coherences of protons generated through the dipolar coupling between them. Supplemented by experiments that identify non-protonated carbons, the method leads to a complete assignment of the spectrum. We initially apply this method for assigning the (13)C spectrum of the liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl oriented in the magnetic field. We then utilize the method to assign the aromatic carbon signals of a thiophene based liquid crystal thereby enabling the local order-parameters of the molecule to be estimated and the mutual orientation of the different sub-units to be obtained.

Propogation of the Allosteric Signal in Bacillus Stearothermophilus Phosphofructokinase Examined by Methyl-TROSY NMR

Phosphofructokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus (BsPFK) is a 136 kDa homotetromeric enzyme. Binding of the substrate, fructose 6-phospate (F6P), is allosterically regulated by the K-type inhibitor phospho(enol)pyruvate (PEP). The allosteric coupling between substrate and inhibitor is quantified by an equilibrium constant of the reaction between F6P-bound and PEP-bound complexes forming the apo form and ternary complex. Methyl-TROSY NMR was employed to gain structural information on BsPFK in all four states of ligation that are relevant to the allosteric coupling. BsPFK was uniformly labeled with 15N and 2H and specifically labeled with δ-[13CH3]-isoleucine using an isotopically-labeled α-keto butyric acid precursor. Methyl-TROSY experiments were conducted on BsPFK in all four ligation states, and all 30 isoleucines, which are well dispersed throughout each subunit of the enzyme, are well resolved in chemical shift correlation maps of 13C and 1H. These spectral maps reveal several cross peaks with chemical shifts unique to each state of ligation indicating unique structures for each enzyme form. Apo BsPFK and F6P-bound BsPFK spectra exhibit only small differences compared to the PEP-bound BsPFK spectrum, which contains numerous dissimilar peaks. Additional distinct peaks, not seen in any other spectra, are present in the spectrum of the ternary complex. Assignments of all 30 isoleucines were determined through 3D HMQC-NOESY experiments with [U-15N,2H];Ileδ1-[13CH3]-BsPFK and complementary HNCA and HNCOCA experiments with [U-15N,2H,13C]-BsPFK. The assignments allowed for the mapping of peaks representing isoleucine residues onto the crystal structure. This analysis has allowed specific regions of the enzyme involved in the binding of allosteric ligands and the propagation of the allosteric effect to be identified. Funding: NIH-GM33216, NIH-CBI, Welch-A1543.

Correlation of chemical shifts predicted by molecular dynamics simulations for partially disordered proteins.

There has been a longstanding interest in being able to accurately predict NMR chemical shifts from structural data. Recent studies have focused on using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation data as input for improved prediction. Here we examine the accuracy of chemical shift prediction for intein systems, which have regions of intrinsic disorder. We find that using MD simulation data as input for chemical shift prediction does not consistently improve prediction accuracy over use of a static X-ray crystal structure. This appears to result from the complex conformational ensemble of the disordered protein segments. We show that using accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations improves chemical shift prediction, suggesting that methods which better sample the conformational ensemble like aMD are more appropriate tools for use in chemical shift prediction for proteins with disordered regions. Moreover, our study suggests that data accurately reflecting protein dynamics must be used as input for chemical shift prediction in order to correctly predict chemical shifts in systems with disorder.

Composite-180° pulse-based symmetry sequences to recouple proton chemical shift anisotropy tensors under ultrafast MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy

There is considerable interest in the measurement of proton (1H) chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors to obtain deeper insights into H-bonding interactions which find numerous applications in chemical and biological systems. However, the presence of strong 1H/1H dipolar interaction makes it difficult to determine small size 1H CSAs from the homogeneously broadened NMR spectra. Previously reported pulse sequences for 1H CSA recoupling are prone to the effects of radio frequency field (B1) inhomogeneity. In the present work we have carried out a systematic study using both numerical and experimental approaches to evaluate γ-encoded radio frequency (RF) pulse sequences based on R-symmetries that recouple 1H CSA in the indirect dimension of a 2D 1H/1H anisotropic/isotropic chemical shift correlation experiment under ultrafast magic angle spinning (MAS) frequencies. The spectral resolution and sensitivity can be significantly improved in both frequency dimensions of the 2D 1H/1H correlation spectrum without decoupling 1H/1H dipolar couplings but by using ultrafast MAS rates up to 70kHz. We successfully demonstrate that with a reasonable RF field requirement (<200kHz) a set of symmetry-based recoupling sequences, with a series of phase-alternating 270°0–90°180 composite-180° pulses, are more robust in combating B1 inhomogeneity effects. In addition, our results show that the new pulse sequences render remarkable 1H CSA recoupling efficiency and undistorted CSA lineshapes. Experimental results on citric acid and malonic acid comparing the efficiencies of these newly developed pulse sequences with that of previously reported CSA recoupling pulse sequences are also reported under ultrafast MAS conditions.

A double-component Anderson–Weiss approach for describing NMR signals of mobile SIn units: Application to constant-time DIPSHIFT experiments

A composed Gaussian local field is proposed to describe the effect of molecular motions on NMR signals of SIn units (e.g., CHn or NHn), based upon the well-know Anderson–Weiss (AW) approximation. The approach is exemplified on constant-time recoupled dipolar chemical-shift correlation (tC-recDIPSHIFT) experiments, providing an analytical formula that can be used as a fitting function in studies of intermediate-regime motions. By comparison of analytical tC-recDIPSHIFT curves and dynamic spin dynamics simulations, we show that for heteronuclear spin pairs (SI system), the AW treatment assuming the usual Gaussian local field is accurate. However, the approximation fails for the case of SIn spin systems for motional rates higher than a few kHz. Based on earlier work of Terao et al., who proposed a decomposition of CHn dipolar powder patterns into to 2n spin-pair-type patterns, we propose an AW approach based upon a double-Gaussian local field. We derive an analytical formula for tC-recDIPSHIFT signals, and demonstrate its accuracy by comparison with simulations of several motional geometries and rates, and with experimental results for a model sample. The approach is not limited to the tC-recDIPSHIFT experiment and should be of general use in dipolar-coupling based experiments probing (partially) mobile SIn molecular moieties.

Ultrahigh-resolution total correlation NMR spectroscopy.

Resolution and sensitivity are paramount for extracting detailed structural information using NMR spectroscopy. Recently developed "pure shift" techniques have greatly improved the resolution attainable in one- and two-dimensional NMR, but at a considerable cost in sensitivity. A newly introduced method, PSYCHE, greatly reduces this loss. It produces pure shift spectra with significantly improved sensitivity, spectral purity, and tolerance of strong coupling compared to previous methods. Here PSYCHE is applied to the TOCSY experiment. In combination with covariance processing, the result is a high-quality, high-resolution TOCSY spectrum with singlets in both dimensions: a pure chemical shift correlation map. Such spectra should greatly simplify both manual spectral analysis and automated structure elucidation.

NMR-based molecular ruler for determining the depth of intercalants within the lipid bilayer. Part IV: Studies on ketophospholipids

In our companion paper, we described the preparation and intercalation of two homologous series of dicarbonyl compounds, methyl n-oxooctadecanoates and the corresponding n-oxooctadecanoic acids (n=4–16), into DMPC liposomes. 13C NMR chemical shift of the various carbonyls was analyzed using an ET(30) solvent polarity–chemical shift correlation table and the corresponding calculated penetration depth (in Å). An iterative best fit analysis of the data points revealed an exponential correlation between ET(30) micropolarity and the penetration depth (in Å) into the liposomal bilayer. However, this study is still incomplete, since the plot lacks data points in the important area of moderately polarity, i.e., in the ET(30) range of 51–45.5kcal/mol. To correct this lacuna, a family of ketophospholipids was prepared in which the above n-oxooctadecanoic acids were attached to the sn-2 position of a phosphatidylcholine with a palmitic acid chain at sn-1. To assist in assignment and detection several derivatives were prepared 13C-enriched in both carbonyls. The various homologs were intercalated into DMPC liposomes and give points specifically in the missing area of the previous polarity–penetration correlation graph. Interestingly, the calculated exponential relationship of the complete graph was essentially the same as that calculated in the companion paper based on the methyl n-oxooctadecanoates and the corresponding n-oxooctadecanoic acids alone. The polarity at the midplane of such DMPC systems is ca. 33kcal/mol and is not expected to change very much if we extend the lipid chains. This paper concludes with a chemical ruler that maps the changing polarity experienced by an intercalant as it penetrates the liposomal bilayer.

Cellular solid-state NMR investigation of a membrane protein using dynamic nuclear polarization

While an increasing number of structural biology studies successfully demonstrate the power of high-resolution structures and dynamics of membrane proteins in fully understanding their function, there is considerable interest in developing NMR approaches to obtain such information in a cellular setting. As long as the proteins inside the living cell tumble rapidly in the NMR timescale, recently developed in-cell solution NMR approaches can provide 3D structural information. However, there are numerous challenges to study membrane proteins inside a cell. Research in our laboratory is focused on developing a combination of solid-state NMR and biological approaches to overcome these challenges in order to obtain high-resolution structural insights into electron transfer processes mediated by membrane-bound proteins like mammalian cytochrome-b5, cytochrome-P450 and cytochrome-P450-reductase. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of using dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy for in-cell studies on a membrane-anchored protein. Our experimental results obtained from 13C-labeled membrane-anchored cytochrome-b5 in native Escherichia coli cells show a ~16-fold DNP signal enhancement. Further, results obtained from a 2D 13C/13C chemical shift correlation MAS experiment demonstrate the feasibility of suppressing the background signals from other cellular contents for high-resolution structural studies on membrane proteins. We believe that this study would pave new avenues for high-resolution structural studies on a variety of membrane-associated proteins and their complexes in the cellular context to fully understand their functional roles in physiological processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: NMR Spectroscopy for Atomistic Views of Biomembranes and Cell Surfaces. Guest Editors: Lynette Cegelski and David P. Weliky.

An approach to sequential NMR assignments of proteins: application to chemical shift restraint-based structure prediction.

A procedure for the simultaneous acquisition of {HNCOCANH & HCCCONH} chemical shift correlation spectra employing sequential [Formula: see text] data acquisition for moderately sized proteins is presented. The suitability of the approach for obtaining sequential resonance assignments, including complete [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] chemical shift information, is demonstrated experimentally for a [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] labelled sample of the C-terminal winged helix (WH) domain of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex of Sulfolobus solfataricus. The chemical shift information obtained was used to calculate the global fold of this winged helix domain via CS-Rosetta. This demonstrates that our procedure provides a reliable and straight-forward protocol for a quick global fold determination of moderately-sized proteins.

Revised NMR Data for 9-O-Demethylgalanthine: An Alkaloid from Zephyranthes robusta (Amaryllidaceae) and its Biological Activity

Ongoing studies of Zephyranthes robusta resulted in the isolation of the lycorine-type alkaloid previously called carinatine and 10-O-demethylgalanthine. The NMR data given previously for this compound were revised and completed by two-dimensional 1H-1H and 1H-13C chemical shift correlation experiments. The name of the isolated compound was corrected to 9-O-demethylgalanthine in accordance with the currently used system of numbering of lycorine-type alkaloids. 9-O-Demethylgalanthine and galanthine, a previously isolated alkaloid from Z robusta, were inactive in acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase assays (IC50 > 500 microM), but showed important prolyl oligopeptidase inhibition activity.

3D 15N/15N/1H chemical shift correlation experiment utilizing an RFDR-based 1H/1H mixing period at 100 kHz MAS

Homonuclear correlation NMR experiments are commonly used in the high-resolution structural studies of proteins. While 13C/13C chemical shift correlation experiments utilizing dipolar recoupling techniques are fully utilized under MAS, correlation of the chemical shifts of 15N nuclei in proteins has been a challenge. Previous studies have shown that the negligible 15N–15N dipolar coupling in peptides or proteins necessitates the use of a very long mixing time (typically several seconds) for effective spin diffusion to occur and considerably slows down a 15N/15N correlation experiment. In this study, we show that the use of mixing proton magnetization, instead of 15N, via the recoupled 1H–1H dipolar couplings enable faster 15N/15N correlation. In addition, the use of proton-detection under ultrafast MAS overcomes the sensitivity loss due to multiple magnetization transfer (between 1H and 15N nuclei) steps. In fact, less than 300nL (∼1.1micromole quantity) sample is sufficient to acquire the 3D spectrum within 5h. Our results also demonstrate that a 3D 15N/15N/1H experiment can render higher resolution spectra that will be useful in the structural studies of proteins at ultrafast MAS frequencies. 3D 15N/15N/1H and 2D radio frequency-driven dipolar recoupling (RFDR)-based 1H/1H experimental results obtained from a powder sample of N-acetyla-l-15N-valyl-l-15N-leucine at 70 and 100kHz MAS frequencies are presented.