Improved success of sparse matrix protein crystallization screening with heterogeneous nucleating agents.

@article{citeulike:2783952, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Crystallization is a major bottleneck in the process of macromolecular structure determination by X-ray crystallography. Successful crystallization requires the formation of nuclei and their subsequent growth to crystals of suitable size. Crystal growth generally occurs spontaneously in a supersaturated solution as a result of homogenous nucleation. However, in a typical sparse matrix screening experiment, precipitant and protein concentration are not sampled extensively, and supersaturation conditions suitable for nucleation are often missed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We tested the effect of nine potential heterogenous nucleating agents on crystallization of ten test proteins in a sparse matrix screen. Several nucleating agents induced crystal formation under conditions where no crystallization occurred in the absence of the nucleating agent. Four nucleating agents: dried seaweed; horse hair; cellulose and hydroxyapatite, had a considerable overall positive effect on crystallization success. This effect was further enhanced when these nucleating agents were used in combination with each other. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the addition of heterogeneous nucleating agents increases the chances of crystal formation when using sparse matrix screens.}, address = {School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.}, author = {Thakur, A. S. and Robin, G. and Guncar, G. and Saunders, N. F. and Newman, J. and Martin, J. L. and Kobe, B. }, citeulike-article-id = {2783952}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001091}, issn = {1932-6203}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, keywords = {crystallography, nucleation, protein, screen}, number = {10}, posted-at = {2008-05-11 10:06:39}, priority = {2}, title = {Improved success of sparse matrix protein crystallization screening with heterogeneous nucleating agents.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001091}, volume = {2}, year = {2007} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2783952 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2783952 TI - Improved success of sparse matrix protein crystallization screening with heterogeneous nucleating agents. JF - PLoS ONE VL - 2 IS - 10 AD - School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. SN - 1932-6203 N2 - BACKGROUND: Crystallization is a major bottleneck in the process of macromolecular structure determination by X-ray crystallography. Successful crystallization requires the formation of nuclei and their subsequent growth to crystals of suitable size. Crystal growth generally occurs spontaneously in a supersaturated solution as a result of homogenous nucleation. However, in a typical sparse matrix screening experiment, precipitant and protein concentration are not sampled extensively, and supersaturation conditions suitable for nucleation are often missed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We tested the effect of nine potential heterogenous nucleating agents on crystallization of ten test proteins in a sparse matrix screen. Several nucleating agents induced crystal formation under conditions where no crystallization occurred in the absence of the nucleating agent. Four nucleating agents: dried seaweed; horse hair; cellulose and hydroxyapatite, had a considerable overall positive effect on crystallization success. This effect was further enhanced when these nucleating agents were used in combination with each other. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the addition of heterogeneous nucleating agents increases the chances of crystal formation when using sparse matrix screens. KW - crystallography KW - nucleation KW - protein KW - screen AU - Thakur, AS AU - Robin, G AU - Guncar, G AU - Saunders, NF AU - Newman, J AU - Martin, JL AU - Kobe, B PY - 2007/// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001091 ER -