Protein Crystallisation

Protein Crystallisation

Abstract

A critical phase in an X-ray structural determination process is the crystallisation of the purified protein. Not only is this step time-consuming, it also requires a considerable amount of protein sample. The main objective is to obtain large, preferably single well-ordered crystals capable of diffracting X-rays to the highest possible resolution. In this paper I will describe the theory, physical methods and strategy involved in the crystallisation of biological macromolecules, and also the work that has been done to crystallise two distinct proteins – HR1b domain of PRK1 (Protein Kinase C-Related Kinase 1) and NK1 fragment of HGF /SF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor).