Within the molecular chaperone family, sHSPs constitute a structurally divergent group characterized by a conserved sequence of 80-100 amino acid residues termed the a-crystallin domain [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The a-crystallin domain, duplicated in the unusual example of parasitic flatworms (Platyhelminthes) [9], is located toward a highly flexible, variable, C-terminal extension, and is usually preceded by a poorly conserved N-terminal region. The molecular mass of sHSP subunits ranges from 12 to 43 kDa, and they assemble into large, dynamic complexes up to 1 MDa. sHSP secondary structure is dominated by b-strands with limited a-helical content, and b-sheets within the a-crystallin domain mediate dimer formation. Crystallization of two sHSPs has contributed significantly to the description of oligomerization, quaternary structure, subunit exchange, and chaperone activity. Characterization of a highly conserved arginine is also an important outcome of crystallization and related studies because mutation of this residue has profound effects on sHSP function and contributes to certain diseases [10][11][12][13][14][15][16].The sHSPs are molecular chaperones, storing aggregation prone proteins as folding competent intermediates and conferring enhanced stress resistance on cells by suppressing aggregation of denaturing proteins, actions associated with oligomerization and subunit exchange [17][18][19][20]. Functional studies of the sHSPs are