The stepwise binding of small molecules to proteins. Nuclear magnetic resonance and temperature jump studies of the binding of 4-(N-acetylaminoglucosyl)-N-acetylglucosamine to lysozyme.

The binding of 4-(N-acetylaminoglucosyl)-N-acetylglucosamine to lysozyme was studied by both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and temperature-jump methods under comparable conditions. The NMR measurements on the inhibitor spectrum were carried out over a range of inhibitor concentrations including levels at which most of the inhibitor was bound to the enzyme. Data in this region were obtained by a novel difference method in conjunction with correlation spectroscopy. The results from the combination of both experimental techniques demonstrated the existence of a two-step binding mechanism and produced both values for all of the individual rate constants and also the NMR spectral data for the inhibitor in the two enzyme-inhibitor complexes. The later data characterize the environment experienced by the inhibitor at each stage in the binding process and thus provides both a three-dimensional and a dynamic picture of the interaction.