Crystallization in the presence of glycerol displaces water molecules in the structure of thaumatin

Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2002 Dec;58(Pt 12):2060-5. doi: 10.1107/s0907444902017183. Epub 2002 Nov 23.

Abstract

The intensely sweet protein thaumatin has been crystallized at 293 K in the presence of sodium tartrate and 25%(v/v) glycerol for X-ray diffraction data collection at 100 K. A comparison of the three-dimensional structure model derived from a crystal grown in the presence of glycerol with that of a control deprived of this additive reveals only minor changes in the overall structure but a approximately 20% reduction in the number of water molecules. X-ray topography analyses show that the overall quality of the crystals prepared in the presence of this cryoprotectant is enhanced.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Glycerol / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Sweetening Agents / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Sweetening Agents
  • Water
  • thaumatin protein, plant
  • Glycerol