Spin label studies of sulfhydryl environment in plasma fibronectin.

The local environment of the free sulfhydryl groups in plasma fibronectin has been investigated by ESR techniques using a series of maleimide spin labels, varying in chain length between the maleimide and nitroxide free radical groups. Chemical modification with these analogs does not affect either the CD spectra or the cell adhesion activity of the protein molecule. The ESR results show that the free sulfhydryl group of plasma fibronectin is in a cleft about 10.5 A in length. The significance of this finding is discussed.