Radioprotectant screening for cryocrystallography.

Journal article

Radiation damage continues to present a problem to crystallographers using cryocooled protein crystals at third-generation synchrotrons. Free-radical scavengers have been suggested as a possible means of reducing the rate of this damage. The screening of a large number of potential radioprotectants was undertaken with an online microspectrophotometer using cystine and cysteine to model protein disulfide bonds and thiol groups, respectively. Oxidized alpha-lipoic acid was tested as a possible model disulfide bond. The evidence for the effectiveness of ascorbate as a radioprotectant was strengthened, and quinone, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone, and reduced dithiothreitol showed promise as radioprotectants.

Authors: Southworth-Davies, R; Garman, E

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of synchrotron radiation
• Volume: 14
• Issue: Pt 1
• Pages: 73-83
• Publication date: 2007-01-01
• DOI: 10.1107/s0909049506044177
• EISSN: 1600-5775
• ISSN: 0909-0495
• Language: English
• Keywords: Proteins; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Protein Denaturation; Computer Simulation; Crystallography, X-Ray; X-Rays; Radiation-Protective Agents; Protein Conformation; Radiation Dosage