Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate
Nucleation of protein crystals has been shown to be facilitated by substrates decorated with both nano- to micro-scale hierarchical undulations and spatially varying surface potential. In fact, on such surfaces, several proteins were found to crystallize without having to use any precipitant in cont...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Crystals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/7/8/245 |
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| author | Anindita Sengupta Ghatak Gaurav Rawal Animangsu Ghatak |
| author_facet | Anindita Sengupta Ghatak Gaurav Rawal Animangsu Ghatak |
| author_sort | Anindita Sengupta Ghatak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nucleation of protein crystals has been shown to be facilitated by substrates decorated with both nano- to micro-scale hierarchical undulations and spatially varying surface potential. In fact, on such surfaces, several proteins were found to crystallize without having to use any precipitant in contrast to all other homogeneous and heterogeneous systems in which precipitant is an essential ingredient for nucleation. While these surfaces were so patterned whole through the area that was brought in contact with the protein solution, it was not clear exactly to what extent the surfaces were required to be patterned to trigger nucleation without use of any precipitant. Here we show that a simple incision may be enough on an otherwise smooth surface for this purpose. In particular, the substrate used here is a smooth silicone film with its surface plasma oxidized to create a thin crust of silica. An incision is then generated on this surface using a sharp razor blade. The silica crust being brittle leads to random nano-microscopic undulations at the vicinity of the incision. These undulations along with surface charge can induce protein crystal nucleation without precipitant. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:24:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-88c70f973c794e75a7c70c0d75781515 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4352 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:24:49Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Crystals |
| spelling | doaj.art-88c70f973c794e75a7c70c0d757815152022-12-22T02:58:29ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522017-08-017824510.3390/cryst7080245cryst7080245Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on SubstrateAnindita Sengupta Ghatak0Gaurav Rawal1Animangsu Ghatak2Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, UP 208016, IndiaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, UP 208016, IndiaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, UP 208016, IndiaNucleation of protein crystals has been shown to be facilitated by substrates decorated with both nano- to micro-scale hierarchical undulations and spatially varying surface potential. In fact, on such surfaces, several proteins were found to crystallize without having to use any precipitant in contrast to all other homogeneous and heterogeneous systems in which precipitant is an essential ingredient for nucleation. While these surfaces were so patterned whole through the area that was brought in contact with the protein solution, it was not clear exactly to what extent the surfaces were required to be patterned to trigger nucleation without use of any precipitant. Here we show that a simple incision may be enough on an otherwise smooth surface for this purpose. In particular, the substrate used here is a smooth silicone film with its surface plasma oxidized to create a thin crust of silica. An incision is then generated on this surface using a sharp razor blade. The silica crust being brittle leads to random nano-microscopic undulations at the vicinity of the incision. These undulations along with surface charge can induce protein crystal nucleation without precipitant.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/7/8/245protein crystallizationnucleationnano-wrinklesincisionsurface charges |
| spellingShingle | Anindita Sengupta Ghatak Gaurav Rawal Animangsu Ghatak Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate Crystals protein crystallization nucleation nano-wrinkles incision surface charges |
| title | Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate |
| title_full | Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate |
| title_fullStr | Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate |
| title_short | Precipitant-Free Crystallization of Protein Molecules Induced by Incision on Substrate |
| title_sort | precipitant free crystallization of protein molecules induced by incision on substrate |
| topic | protein crystallization nucleation nano-wrinkles incision surface charges |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/7/8/245 |
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