Improving diffraction resolution using a new dehydration method. Issue 2 (22nd February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Qingqiu; Szebenyi, Doletha M. E.
• Is Part Of: Acta crystallographica. Volume 72:Issue 2(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 159
• Publication Date: 2016-02-22
• Subjects: protein crystal -- dehydration -- diffraction resolution -- Cas5a -- LptA; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Crystals -- Periodicals; 548
• DOI: 10.1107/S2053230X16000261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-230X

Abstract

Abstract : A new dehydration method to improve the diffraction resolution of protein crystals is reported. Abstract : The production of high‐quality crystals is one of the major obstacles in determining the three‐dimensional structure of macromolecules by X‐ray crystallography. It is fairly common that a visually well formed crystal diffracts poorly to a resolution that is too low to be suitable for structure determination. Dehydration has proven to be an effective post‐crystallization treatment for improving crystal diffraction quality. Several dehydration methods have been developed, but no single one of them is suitable for all crystals. Here, a new convenient and effective dehydration method is reported that makes use of a dehydrating solution that will not dry out in air for several hours. Using this dehydration method, the resolution of Archaeoglobus fulgidus Cas5a crystals has been increased from 3.2 to 1.95 Å and the resolution of Escherichia coli LptA crystals has been increased from <5 to 3.4 Å.