Membrane's Eleven: heavy-atom derivatives of membrane-protein crystals

DOI: 10.1107/S0907444906023547
PMID: 16855303

Authors: Preben Morth (University of Aarhus) , Thomas Sorensen (Diamond Light Source) , Poul Nissen (University of Aarhus)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section D Biological Crystallography , VOL 62 (8) , PAGES 877 - 882

State: Published (Approved)
Published: August 2006

Abstract: A database has been assembled of heavy-atom derivatives used in the structure determination of membrane proteins. The database can serve as a guide to the design of experiments in the search for heavy-atom derivatives of new membrane-protein crystals. The database pinpoints organomercurials, platinum(II) and trimethyllead compounds as being particularly useful. On the other hand, lanthanide and uranyl compounds are poorly represented, which may be a consequence of these compounds having aggressive effects in crystal-soaking procedures. Furthermore, the database highlights the variety of methods applied in the preparation of heavy-atom-derivatized crystals and in phasing. Cocrystallization can be further exploited. Phases have predominantly been obtained by SIRAS/MIRAS methods rather than SAD/MAD in recent structure determinations.

Journal Keywords: membrane proteins; heavy-atom derivatives.

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials


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Added On: 02/02/2016 15:14

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