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An overview of heavy-atom derivatization of protein crystals.

ABSTRACT: Heavy-atom derivatization is one of the oldest techniques for obtaining phase information for protein crystals and, although it is no longer the first choice, it remains a useful technique for obtaining phases for unknown structures and for low-resolution data sets. It is also valuable for confirming the chain trace in low-resolution electron-density maps. This overview provides a summary of the technique and is aimed at first-time users of the method. It includes guidelines on when to use it, which heavy atoms are most likely to work, how to prepare heavy-atom solutions, how to derivatize crystals and how to determine whether a crystal is in fact a derivative.

SUBMITTER: Pike AC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4784662 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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An overview of heavy-atom derivatization of protein crystals.

Pike Ashley C W AC Garman Elspeth F EF Krojer Tobias T von Delft Frank F Carpenter Elisabeth P EP

Acta crystallographica. Section D, Structural biology 20160301 Pt 3

Heavy-atom derivatization is one of the oldest techniques for obtaining phase information for protein crystals and, although it is no longer the first choice, it remains a useful technique for obtaining phases for unknown structures and for low-resolution data sets. It is also valuable for confirming the chain trace in low-resolution electron-density maps. This overview provides a summary of the technique and is aimed at first-time users of the method. It includes guidelines on when to use it, w ...[more]

PMID: 26960118

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