The backbone resonance assignments have been completed for the apo ('H and "N) and calcium-loaded ('H, IsN, and 13C) regulatory N-domain of chicken skeletal troponin-C (1-90), using multidimensional homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The chemical-shift information, along with detailed NOE analysis and 3JHNHa coupling constants, permitted the determination and quantification of the Ca2+-induced secondary structural change in the N-domain of TnC. For both structures, 5 helices and 2 short 0-strands were found, as was observed in the apo N-domain of the crystal structure of whole TnC (Herzberg 0, James MNG, 1988, JMol Biol 203:761-779). The NMR solution structure of the apo form is indistinguishable from the crystal structure, whereas some structural differences are evident when comparing the 2Ca2+ state solution structure with the apo one. The major conformational change observed is the straightening of helix-B upon Ca2+ binding. The possible importance and role of this conformational change is explored. Previous CD studies on the regulatory domain of TnC showed a significant Ca2+-induced increase in negative ellipticity, suggesting a significant increase in helical content upon Ca2+ binding. The present study shows that there is virtually no change in a-helical content associated with the transition from apo to the 2Ca2+ state of the N-domain of TnC. Therefore, the Ca2+-induced increase in ellipticity observed by CD does not relate to a change in helical content, but more likely to changes in spatial orientation of helices.Keywords: calcium; CD; NMR; regulatory domain of troponin-C; secondary structural change Troponin-C has a key role in muscle contraction of vertebrate striated muscle (skeletal and cardiac). The binding of Ca2+ to TnC induces a conformational change that affects the interaction between TnC, troponin-I (TnI), and troponin-T (TnT). This interaction blocks the inhibitory action of TnI, allowing formation of the Mg2+-activated ATPase actomyosin complex, and ultimately leads to muscle contraction. The roles and interactions of proteins in the regulatory system of striated muscle have been studied extensively (Leavis & Gergely, 1984; Ohtsuki et al.,