Hyperpolarized NMR Reveals Low-Populated Folding Intermediates in DNA.

ABSTRACT: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the only biophysical technique capable of characterizing nucleic acid structures at atomic resolution under near-physiological liquid-state conditions. Still, it is fundamentally limited by intrinsically low sensitivity, particularly when analyzing high-molecular-weight, low-abundance, or polymorphic targets, such as DNAs (DNA). In this study, we demonstrate that hyperpolarized aqueous buffers generated via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) significantly enhance the ¹H NMR signals of multiple DNA motifs. The resonances of labile imino and amino protons of DNAs dissolved in hyperpolarized buffers are enhanced up to ∼200-fold and ∼370-fold, respectively. These intense signals serve a 2-fold purpose: (i) as structural f

SUBMITTER: Zachrdla M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12715797 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature