A comparison by 220-MHz NMR of histidine hydronium ion titrations in porcine pancreatic ribonuclease and an extensively deglycosylated derivative.

220-MHz NMR was used to observe the titration behavior of the 5 histidine residues in porcine pancreatic ribonuclease (ribonucleate pyrimidine-nucleotido-2'-transferase (cyclizing), EC 3.1.4.22) and a derivative prepared by removal of 80% of the attached carbohydrate from this glycoprotein. Resonances due to histidine C-2 protons were observed over the full pH range for 3 of the residues; such resonances for the remaining 2 histidine residues broadened out as the pH was increased. Resonances due to histidine C-4 protons were also observed for 2 of the residues. The titration curves for both proteins were identical within experimental error. Resonances were assigned by comparison with histidine NMR titrations in ribonucleases from other species. Histidine 105, immediately adjacent to the site of attachment of a heterosaccharide side chain, has a C-2 proton chemical shift and pK that are insensitive to the large alteration in the bulk of the carbohydrate side chain. The chemical shifts of the C-2 proton of histidine 48 and of the C-4 proton of histidine 80, histidine residues that are close to one another and to another heterosaccharide side chain, show a similar insensitivity. The observations are direct evidence in support of the thesis that the heterosaccharides in porcine ribonuclease project away from the surface of the protein into the solution environment.