"X-ray diffraction of protein crystals"

Date:: 1954-1956

Reference:: PP/CRI/H/1/33

Credit: "X-ray diffraction of protein crystals". Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Methods in Eazymology« Vol. Ill Section V : X-ray Diffraction of Protein Crystals fn.eefcickL Introduction The ¿-ray study of protein crystals is a difficult and highly specialised field. Eventually, when +he structure of a few proteins has been unravelled, the results will he % of vital interest to enzymolo^ists, since they should give r information about the spacial arrangement of the ..active ■ site o* the enzyme. Till that happy day comes X—r&y methods \ will only have a secondary interest for enzymologists. The equipment required for X-ray work is expensive, anâ will no rmally not be available in an enzyiBolo^ioal laboratory. This chapter has therefore been written on the assumption that the X-ray work will be carried out in ? collaboration with a professional crysta^ographer. It f alus to show both, the enzymolo.pist and the X-ray crystalosrrapher '<X> qP - who may not be familiar with the X-ray work on proteins - the kind of information which can usefully be obtained in a fairly short time. A knowledge of normal crystal©graphic CD A. terms and technique! is therefore assumed, but all special \ tpchniques required are described in detail. The most useful information that can be obtained from an X-ray examination of protein crystals is a rather good value ''or the molecular weight. If crystals of a reasonable size are available a figure correct to a few percent, can be obtained in a fe flays. This method has been neglected in + he past, and enzymolorlsts nsi~ht ell find it useful.$

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"X-ray diffraction of protein crystals"

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