Structure and dynamics of annexin 12 bound to a planar lipid bilayer

Site directed spin labeling is used to investigate the protein annexin 12 absorbed on a single planar phospholipid bilayer of approximately 2-3 cm(2). Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of nitroxide side chain at several topological sites reveal a conserved tertiary fold of the protein in the absorbed state, in agreement with earlier diffraction results. The angular dependent spectra of the two-dimensional microcrystals are shown to provide information on the degree of ordering of spin labels in a alpha-helix and in turn on the orientation of the alpha-helix with respect to the surface.