Crystal growth in X-ray-transparent plastic tubing: an alternative for high-throughput applications.
A modified capillary-growth method is described that has substantial advantages for standard and high-throughput protein crystal growth. Protein-containing drops are injected into vapor-permeable flexible X-ray-transparent polyester tubing. The protein concentration in the drop increases over time by water transport through the tubing wall at a rate controlled by the wall thickness and ambient relative humidity. Unlike in conventional vapor-diffusion growth, the evaporation rate from the drop is constant over a longer time period, providing more suitable conditions for nucleation, and can be controlled by varying the tubing thickness and surrounding humidity. In situ X-ray diffraction can be performed at room temperature or, by flash-cooling, at low temperatures. Compared with glass capillaries or thick-wall plastic tubing, sealing and handling the tubing and extracting crystals are much easier.
Kalinin
Yevgeniy
Y
Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Thorne
Robert
R
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011506:Proteins; D009113:Muramidase