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A generic protocol for protein crystal dehydration using the HC1b humidity controller
Author(s) -
Lobley Carina M. C.,
Sandy James,
Sanchez-Weatherby Juan,
Mazzorana Marco,
Krojer Tobias,
Nowak Radosław P.,
Sorensen Thomas L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section d
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.374
H-Index - 138
ISSN - 2059-7983
DOI - 10.1107/s2059798316003065
Subject(s) - dehydration , mosaicity , crystal (programming language) , humidity , materials science , crystal structure , crystallization , crystallography , chemistry , diffraction , physics , x ray crystallography , computer science , thermodynamics , biochemistry , optics , organic chemistry , programming language
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 I 222 to P 2 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.