Open AccessPhysical and chemical considerations of damage induced in protein crystals by synchrotron radiation: a radiation chemical perspective
Author(s) -
O'Neill Peter,
Stevens David L.,
Garman Elspeth F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049502014553
Subject(s) - synchrotron radiation , radiation damage , radiation , molecule , chemistry , degradation (telecommunications) , irradiation , chemical decomposition , ionizing radiation , chemical reaction , protein crystallization , chemical structure , x ray , chemical bond , chemical physics , materials science , organic chemistry , physics , optics , nuclear physics , decomposition , crystallization , computer science , telecommunications
Radiation‐induced degradation of protein or DNA samples by synchrotron radiation is an inherent problem in X‐ray crystallography, especially at the `brighter' light sources. This short review gives a radiation chemical perspective on some of the physical and chemical processes that need to be considered in understanding potential pathways leading to the gradual degradation of the samples. Under the conditions used for X‐ray crystallography at a temperature of <100 K in the presence of cryoprotectant agents, the majority of radiation damage of the protein samples arises from direct ionization of the amino acid residues and their associated water molecules. Some of the chemical processes that may occur at these protein centres, such as bond scission, are discussed. Several approaches are discussed that may reduce radiation damage, using agents known from radiation chemistry to minimize radical‐induced degradation of the sample.