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Protein crystals orientation in a magnetic field
J P Astier1, S Veesler, R Boistelle
1Centre de Recherche sur les Mécanismes de la Croissance Cristalline, CRMC2 - CNRS, Campus de Luminy, case 913, F-13288 Marseille CEDEX 09, France.
Acta Crystallographica. Section D, Biological Crystallography
|October 8, 1998
Summary
Protein crystal growth was influenced by a magnetic field, causing crystals to orient themselves. This orientation is due to the diamagnetic properties of protein alpha-helices.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Crystallography
- Materials Science
Background:
- Protein crystallization is crucial for structural biology and drug discovery.
- Understanding factors influencing crystal growth, such as external fields, is essential for improving crystallization techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a 1.25 T magnetic field on the nucleation and crystal growth of specific proteins.
- To determine the mechanism behind the observed orientation of protein crystals in a magnetic field.
Main Methods:
- Protein crystallization experiments were conducted using hen egg-white lysozyme, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, and porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase.
- A 1.25 T magnetic field was applied using permanent magnets during nucleation and crystal growth.
- Crystal orientation was observed and analyzed, with exceptions noted for heterogeneous nucleation.
Main Results:
- Protein crystals exhibited orientation within the applied magnetic field.
- Exceptions to orientation were observed in cases of heterogeneous nucleation.
- The observed orientation is linked to the anisotropic diamagnetic susceptibility of proteins.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic fields can influence protein crystal orientation during growth.
- The alignment is attributed to the anisotropic diamagnetic properties of protein alpha-helices and peptide bond alignment.
- This finding offers potential for controlling protein crystal morphology and quality.