Protein dynamics by solid-state NMR: aromatic rings of the coat protein in fd bacteriophage.

The motions of the aromatic amino acids of the fd bacteriophage coat protein are described by solid-state 2H, 13C, and 15N NMR. Tryptophan-26 is immobile on time scales as slow as 10(3) HZ. The phenylalanine and tyrosine rings undergo 180 degree flips about the C beta--C gamma bond axis more often than 10(6) HZ as well as small-amplitude rapid motions in other directions.