A generic protocol for protein crystal dehydration using the HC1b humidity controller. Issue 5 (1st May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lobley, Carina M. C.; Sandy, James; Sanchez-Weatherby, Juan; Mazzorana, Marco; Krojer, Tobias; Nowak, Radosław P.; Sorensen, Thomas L.
• Is Part Of: Acta crystallographica. Volume 72:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 629
• Page End: 640
• Publication Date: 2016-05-01
• Subjects: macromolecular crystallization -- crystal dehydration -- humidity control -- cryoprotection -- generic protocol -- room temperature; X-ray crystallography -- Periodicals; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Molecular structure -- Periodicals; Biomolecules -- Structure -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Biomolecules -- Structure; Crystallography; Cytology; Molecular biology; Molecular structure; X-ray crystallography; Periodicals; 548
• DOI: 10.1107/S2059798316003065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7983

Abstract

Abstract : A generic protocol for investigating crystal dehydration is presented and tested with a set of protein crystal systems using the HC1b high‐precision crystal humidifier/dehumidifier. Abstract : Dehydration may change the crystal lattice and affect the mosaicity, resolution and quality of X‐ray diffraction data. A dehydrating environment can be generated around a crystal in several ways with various degrees of precision and complexity. This study uses a high‐precision crystal humidifier/dehumidifier to provide an airstream of known relative humidity in which the crystals are mounted: a precise yet hassle‐free approach to altering crystal hydration. A protocol is introduced to assess the impact of crystal dehydration systematically applied to nine experimental crystal systems. In one case, that of glucose isomerase, dehydration triggering a change of space group from I 222 to P 21 21 2 was observed. This observation is supported by an extended study of the behaviour of the glucose isomerase crystal structure during crystal dehydration.