[ccp4bb] long needles

2009-08-25 Thread james09 pruza
Dear all,

Sorry for the non-ccp4 question. Recently I have got some long needle of on
35 kDa protein with 65% MPD at 4 degree C at pH 3.6 (50 mM NaOAc buffer).
The protein contains 50mM of salt. The florets are very thin. I need some
suggestions regarding the optimization of the crystallization conditions.

Thanks in advance.

James


Re: [ccp4bb] long needles

2009-08-25 Thread Enrico Stura

James and those that may be interested,

65% MPD at 4 degree C at pH 3.6 are conditions that stimulate the growth
of salt crystals, but one cannot exclude that the florets are indeed
protein.

1. If you are sure you are dealing with protein crystals try the  
co-precipitant

approach: Carry out a simple screeen  like 5% MPEG550 + 60% MPD ;
10% MPEG550 + 55% MPD  and so on. This can be repeated with other
co-precipitants that you may have identified for other conditions you have  
screened

previouysly.

2. Vary the protein concentration vs. the precipitant concentration.
The results should follow the theoretical phase diagram.

3. Use the results of Steps 1 and 2 do screen finely using seeding. Florets
often indicate a disordered initial nucleous, which can be caused by  
excessive protein or

precipitant concentration, but could also be due to ther factors.
Seeding of drops that do not nucleate spontaneously will in many cases  
remove

the problem.

Enrico.


On Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:14:24 +0200, james09 pruza james09x...@gmail.com  
wrote:



Dear all,

Sorry for the non-ccp4 question. Recently I have got some long needle of  
on

35 kDa protein with 65% MPD at 4 degree C at pH 3.6 (50 mM NaOAc buffer).
The protein contains 50mM of salt. The florets are very thin. I need some
suggestions regarding the optimization of the crystallization conditions.

Thanks in advance.

James




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