Diffracted X-ray Blinking Tracks Single Protein Motions

Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 30;8(1):17090. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35468-3.

Abstract

Single molecule dynamics studies have begun to use quantum probes. Single particle analysis using cryo-transmission electron microscopy has dramatically improved the resolution when studying protein structures and is shifting towards molecular motion observations. X-ray free-electron lasers are also being explored as routes for determining single molecule structures of biological entities. Here, we propose a new X-ray single molecule technology that allows observation of molecular internal motion over long time scales, ranging from milliseconds up to 103 seconds. Our method uses both low-dose monochromatic X-rays and nanocrystal labelling technology. During monochromatic X-ray diffraction experiments, the intensity of X-ray diffraction from moving single nanocrystals appears to blink because of Brownian motion in aqueous solutions. X-ray diffraction spots from moving nanocrystals were observed to cycle in and out of the Bragg condition. Consequently, the internal motions of a protein molecule labelled with nanocrystals could be extracted from the time trajectory using this diffracted X-ray blinking (DXB) approach. Finally, we succeeded in distinguishing the degree of fluctuation motions of an individual acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP) interacting with acetylcholine (ACh) using a laboratory X-ray source.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / chemistry
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy / methods
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Motion*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction / methods*

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Acetylcholine