Noncovalent binding of a spin-labeled inhibitor to ribonuclease.

The stable free radical 2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-oxyl monophosphate has been synthesized; it binds to ribonuclease. The selective changes in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the enzyme produced by the free radical make it possible to define qualitatively the region of the enzyme to which it binds. The radical appears to occupy a site similar to that to which inorganic phosphate binds which is close to or within the active site of the enzyme.