On optimal placement of molecules in the unit cell

There are currently no rules for a unified, standard way of placing macromolecular structures in the crystal lattice. An analysis of all possible symmetry-equivalent representations of molecular structures in various space groups leads to the concept of the anti-Cheshire symmetry and suggests that the center of a unique structural motif can always be placed within the selected asymmetric unit of the anti-Cheshire cell. The placement of structures according to this suggestion will ensure uniformity of presentation of all structurally equivalent Protein Data Bank models and will therefore diminish the possibility of confusing less crystallographically knowledgeable users of the PDB. The anti-Cheshire cells and their asymmetric units are defined and tabulated for all 65 space groups relevant to macromolecular crystallography that exhibit only rotational symmetry operations.