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Related Concept Videos

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization01:25

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

5.7K
Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
5.7K
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria01:10

Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria

4.1K
Recrystallization is a purification technique used to separate impurities from solid compounds. In this technique, no chemical reactions occur. Instead, it exploits physical properties only, specifically, the solubility differences between the desired compound and impurities, either at a single temperature or at different temperatures, and under other selected conditions. The solid-solution equilibrium (solubility equilibrium) of each component in the solution represents a binary phase...
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Precipitation Processes01:12

Precipitation Processes

5.0K
The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
5.0K
Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins01:39

Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins

2.9K
Mitochondrial precursors are partially unfolded or loosely folded polypeptide chains. Newly synthesized precursors are inhibited from spontaneously folding into their native conformation by the cytosolic chaperones, heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70), and mitochondrial import stimulation factors (MSFs). Precursors bound to MSFs are guided to the TOM70-TOM37 receptors, while precursors bound to Hsp70  chaperones are targetted to TOM20-TOM22 receptor complexes.
Most of the mitochondrial...
2.9K
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control01:16

Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control

5.8K
In precipitation gravimetry, the precipitating agent should react specifically or selectively with the analyte. While a specific reagent reacts with the analyte alone, a selective reagent can react with a limited number of chemical species.
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
5.8K
Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

5.7K
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
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Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography
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Protein Crystallization for X-ray Crystallography

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Nucleation precursors in protein crystallization.

Peter G Vekilov1, Maria A Vorontsova1

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-4004, USA.

Acta Crystallographica. Section F, Structural Biology Communications
|March 7, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Protein crystal nucleation involves precursors: metastable, dense liquid clusters. Protein conformational flexibility drives these clusters and nucleation, paving the way for breakthroughs in biophysics.

Keywords:
crystallizationnucleation mechanismpartial unfoldingprotein crystalsprotein-rich clusterstwo-step nucleation

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Area of Science:

  • Biological Crystallography
  • Protein Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Protein crystal nucleation is a critical challenge in biological crystallography.
  • Recent research indicates that nuclei form within specific precursor structures.
  • Understanding these precursors is key to controlling crystallization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review methods for detecting and characterizing protein crystal nucleation precursors.
  • To elucidate the nature and formation mechanism of these precursors.
  • To highlight the role of protein conformational flexibility in nucleation.

Main Methods:

  • Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • Brownian Microscopy

Main Results:

  • Nucleation precursors are identified as metastable, protein-dense liquid clusters.
  • These clusters are hundreds of nanometers in size and occupy a small solution volume.
  • Cluster properties are consistent in both supersaturated and undersaturated solutions.
  • Protein conformational flexibility, exposing hydrophobic surfaces, drives cluster formation and stability.

Conclusions:

  • Protein conformational flexibility is a likely mechanism for metastable mesoscopic clusters and subsequent nucleation.
  • Further investigation into cluster behavior and mechanisms promises significant advancements in protein biophysics.
  • This research opens new avenues for controlling protein crystallization.