Influence of the crystallization solution on orientations of lysozyme crystals nucleated on fatty acid thin films

Impurity effects on orientation of lysozyme crystals nucleated on fatty acid thin films

“…The number of {1 1 0}-oriented crystals increases as the concentration of acetic acid increases. This tendency qualitatively coincides with the results as shown in our previous study [4]. Hence, we can conclude that acetic acid is one of the low molecular substances which promote the nucleation of {1 1 0}-oriented crystals.…”

“…This fact agrees with the previously reported suggestion that carboxylic groups of acetic acid, behenic acid and lysozyme molecules interact with each other to synergistically promote the epitaxial growth [4]. Although amino acids have carboxylic groups, the nucleation of {1 1 0}-oriented crystals was not promoted on behenic acid monolayer films.…”

“…This indicates that the selection of appropriate substrates is the most important for the epitaxial growth of proteins. It has also been found that the concentration of acetic acid in buffer solution affects the epitaxial growth of protein crystals [4]. In addition, Rong et al [5] reported that the orientation of protein crystals is changed by varying NaCl concentration in buffer solution.…”

Epitaxial Growth of Lysozyme on Fatty Acid Thin Films

“…As mentioned in our previous work, , the carbon chain axes of the behenic acid molecules in the corresponding thin film are nearly perpendicular to the mica surface in air (Figure a). However, in aqueous solution, the structure of these films is noticeably different.…”

“…In fact, to the best of our knowledge, since McPherson et al first published their paper in 1988, all attempts to control the orientation of protein crystals on inorganic substrates have proven unsuccessful. On the other hand, it was recently reported that oriented lysozyme crystals can be nucleated on organic thin films. − These results suggest that the epitaxial growth of protein crystals is possible if appropriate organic substrates are employed. The elucidation of the mechanism of epitaxial growth of protein crystals could yield the further understanding of epitaxial growth of other organic crystals.…”