NMR Studies of Metal-binding Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone

Functions of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and its induced release by divalent metal ions have received great attention because this neurotransmitter subsequently regulates the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). Metal-LHRH complexes were synthesized by addition of various Cu(II),Ni(II),Zn(II) ions into LHRH in order to understand how the induced release of LHRH is possible. The degree of complexation was monitored by $^1H$, $^{13}C$-NMR chemical shifts, and final products were identified by Mass spectrometry. Solutionstate structure determination of Zn(II)-LHRH out of metal-complexes was accomplished by using NMR and NMR-based distance geometry (DG). Interproton distance information from nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy was utilized for structure determination. Structure obtained in this study has a cyclic conformation exhibiting a specific ${\alpha}$-helical turn with residue numbers His[2]-Leu[7] out of 10 amino acids. Comparison of chemical shifts and EPR studies of Ni(II),Cu(II)-LHRH complexes exhibit that these metal complexes have 4-coordination geometry.