A generic protocol for protein crystal dehydration using the HC1b humidity controller.
Lobley, C.M., Sandy, J., Sanchez-Weatherby, J., Mazzorana, M., Krojer, T., Nowak, R.P., Sorensen, T.L.(2016) Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 72: 629-640
- PubMed: 27139626 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2059798316003065
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
4ZB0, 4ZB2, 4ZB5, 4ZBC - PubMed Abstract: 
Dehydration may change the crystal lattice and affect the mosaicity, resolution and quality of X-ray diffraction data. A dehydrating environment can be generated around a crystal in several ways with various degrees of precision and complexity. This study uses a high-precision crystal humidifier/dehumidifier to provide an airstream of known relative humidity in which the crystals are mounted: a precise yet hassle-free approach to altering crystal hydration. A protocol is introduced to assess the impact of crystal dehydration systematically applied to nine experimental crystal systems. In one case, that of glucose isomerase, dehydration triggering a change of space group from I222 to P21212 was observed. This observation is supported by an extended study of the behaviour of the glucose isomerase crystal structure during crystal dehydration.
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, England.
Organizational Affiliation: