Crystal growth of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses in gels.
Medium-sized single crystals with perfect habits and no defect producing intense and well-resolved diffraction patterns are the dream of every protein crystallographer. Crystals of biological macromolecules possessing these characteristics can be prepared within a medium in which mass transport is restricted to diffusion. Chemical gels (like polysiloxane) and physical gels (such as agarose) provide such an environment and are therefore suitable for the crystallisation of biological macromolecules. Instructions for the preparation of each type of gel are given to urge crystal growers to apply diffusive media for enhancing crystallographic quality of their crystals. Examples of quality enhancement achieved with silica and agarose gels are given. Results obtained with other substances forming gel-like media (such as lipidic phases and cellulose derivatives) are presented. Finally, the use of gels in combination with capillary tubes for counter-diffusion experiments is discussed. Methods and techniques implemented with proteins can also be applied to nucleic acids and nucleoprotein assemblies such as viruses.
Lorber
Bernard
B
Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IBMC, 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France. b.lorber@ibmc.u-strasbg.fr <b.lorber@ibmc.u-strasbg.fr>
Sauter
Claude
C
Théobald-Dietrich
Anne
A
Moreno
Abel
A
Schellenberger
Pascale
P
Robert
Marie-Claire
MC
Capelle
Bernard
B
Sanglier
Sarah
S
Potier
Noëlle
N
Giegé
Richard
R
D000818:Animals; D003460:Crystallization; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D014780:Viruses / Q000737:chemistry*
D005782:Gels; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D011506:Proteins