Skip to main content

Establishing Suitability of RNA Preparations for Crystallization

Determination of Polydispersity

  • Protocol
Ribozyme Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 74))

Abstract

Successful crystallization of ribozymes and ribozyme domains depends on covalent homogeneity of the sample, conformational homogeneity of the preparation, and an efficient and broad sampling of solution conditions where crystals might nucleate and grow. Chapter 38 presents methods to prepare multimilligram quantities of pure RNA, and Chapter 40 describes strategies for determining crystallization conditions. This chapter presents two methods to determine the conformational homogeneity (polydispersity) of RNA preparations. These methods have been successfully used to determine which of several related constructs of a given target molecule are likely to crystallize, enabling the experimenter to focus on the most promising candidate, and constitute an important step in a successful strategy for crystallization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Schmitz, K. S. (1990) An Introduction to Dynamic Light Scattering by Macro-molecules Academic, San Diego.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zulauf, M. and D’Arcy, A. (1992) Light scattering of proteins as a criterion for crystallization. J. Crystal Growth. 122, 102–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Ferré-D’ Amaré, A. R. and Burley, S. K. (1994) Use of dynamic light scattering to assess crystallizability of macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies. Structure. 2, 357–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. D’Arcy, A (1994) Crystallizing proteins—a rational approach? Acta Crystallographica. D50, 469–471

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ferré-D’ Amaré, A. R. and Burley, S. K. (1997) Dynamic light scattering as a tool for evaluating crystallizability of macromolecules. Methods Enzymol. 276, 157–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Wilson, W. W. (1990) Monitoring crystallization experiments using dynamic light scattering: assaying and monitoring protein crystallization in solution. Methods. 1, 110–117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mikol, V. and Giegé, R. (1992) The physical chemistry of protein crystallization, in Crystallization of Nucleic Acids and Proteins. A Practical Approach (Ducruix, A. and Gtegt, R., eds. ), IRL Press, Oxford, pp 219–239.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Humana Press Inc.

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Ferré-d’ Amaré, A.R., Doudna, J.A. (1997). Establishing Suitability of RNA Preparations for Crystallization. In: Turner, P.C. (eds) Ribozyme Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 74. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-389-9:371

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-389-9:371

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-389-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-560-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics