I have experience with 1H-15N HSQC of 15N enriched proteins. I have read some papers reporting natural abundance 1H-15N HSQC so it appears possible. I have a 19 kDa protein which I have isolated from cultured human cells and also produced recombinantly and I would like to establish a HSQC spectrum from the native human protein to compare with the recombinant version. 15N labelling of the recombinant version is not an issue obviously but it would be very difficult to produce the native protein with 15N enrichment. So two questions:
1. Does anyone have experience with native abundance 1H-15N HSQC and could advise as to the considerations involved (i.e. longer acquisition time/more scans, higher protein concentrations etc)?
2. Is there any relatively straightforward way (other than purchasing a 15N-enriched amino acid mixture) for 15N enrichment of the native protein?
Many thanks for any assistance!