Fluorescent X-ray interference from a protein monolayer

Science. 1994 Jan 7;263(5143):62-4. doi: 10.1126/science.8272866.

Abstract

Fluorescent x-ray interference patterns have been observed from monolayers of both a metal-containing protein (ferritin) and a nonmetal-containing protein [bovine serum albumin (BSA)] bound on a gold substrate. These interference patterns have been used to determine structure data. The nonmetal-containing protein was first reacted with metal ions by means of a chelate compound to place the necessary chromophore in the molecule. The size of the ferritin core measured by a scanning electron microscope agrees with the value obtained from the x-ray interference experiments. In the BSA molecule, the measured interference fringe is consistent with the model in which the short axes of BSA molecules are perpendicular to the surface substrate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ferritins / chemistry*
  • Fluorescence
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Protein Conformation*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction / methods*

Substances

  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Ferritins