Crystallography of membrane proteins: from crystallization to structure

Methods Mol Biol. 2010:654:79-103. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-762-4_5.

Abstract

Although crystallographic studies of membrane proteins have progressed in the last 5 years, the field still remains challenging with several severe bottlenecks. The chapter focuses on the crystallization and describes two approaches, the classical vapor diffusion method and the more recent use of lipidic phases. General aspects on the crystallization principles as well as more practical details are given. In a more synthetic way, the chapter also addresses how structures are solved by X-ray crystallography, and highlights aspects that are specific to membrane proteins.

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography, X-Ray / methods*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Protein Structure, Secondary

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins