Detection of Metabolite–Protein Interactions in Complex Biological Samples by High-Resolution Relaxometry: Toward Interactomics by NMR

Metabolomics, the systematic investigation of metabolites in biological fluids, cells or tissues, reveals essential information about metabolism and diseases. Metabolites have functional roles myriads processes, as substrates products enzymatic reactions, but also cofactors regulators large numbers biochemical mechanisms. These functions involve interactions with macromolecules. Yet, methods to systematically investigate these are hitherto still scarce. In particular, there is a need for techniques suited identify characterize weak metabolite-macromolecule directly complex media such fluids. Here, we introduce method between macromolecules Our approach based on high-resolution NMR relaxometry does not require any invasive procedure separation step. We show that can detect small molecules human blood serum quantify size complex. work opens way investigations metabolite-(or other molecules) protein fluids interactomics pharmaceutical applications.