A method is described which permits detection of (3h)J(NC') scalar coupling
s across hydrogen bonds in larger, perdeuterated proteins. The experiment i
s demonstrated for the uniformly H-2/C-13/N-15-enriched 30 kDa ribosome ina
ctivating protein MAP30. The (3)hJ(NC') interactions are smaller than 1 Hz,
but their detection in an HNCO experiment is made possible through the use
of constructive interference between the N-15 chemical shift anisotropy an
d H-1-N-15 dipole-dipole relaxation mechanisms in a manner similar to that
of recently proposed TROSY schemes. Sensitivity of the HNCO experiment depe
nds strongly on the N-15 transverse relaxation rate of the downfield N-15 m
ultiplet component and on the amide proton T-1. In perdeuterated MAP30 at 4
0 degrees C, the average TROSY T-2 was 169 ms at 750 MHz H-1 frequency, and
a wide range of longitudinal relaxation rates was observed for the amide p
rotons.