A generic protocol for protein crystal dehydration using the HC1b humidity controller

作者：Lobley Carina M C; Sandy James; Sanchez Weatherby Juan; Mazzorana Marco; Krojer Tobias; Nowak Radoslaw P; Sorensen Thomas L^*

来源：Acta Crystallographica Section D-Structural Biology, 2016, 72(5): 629-640.

DOI：10.1107/S2059798316003065

• macromolecular crystallization
• crystal dehydration
• humidity control
• cryoprotection
• generic protocol
• room temperature

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 I222 to P2(1)2(1)2 was observed. This observation is supported by an extended study of the behaviour of the glucose isomerase crystal structure during crystal dehydration.

• 出版日期2016-5