Crystallizing membrane proteins for structure-function studies using lipidic mesophases.

ABSTRACT: The lipidic cubic phase method for crystallizing membrane proteins has posted some high-profile successes recently. This is especially true in the area of G-protein-coupled receptors, with six new crystallographic structures emerging in the last 3½ years. Slowly, it is becoming an accepted method with a proven record and convincing generality. However, it is not a method that is used in every membrane structural biology laboratory and that is unfortunate. The reluctance in adopting it is attributable, in part, to the anticipated difficulties associated with handling the sticky viscous cubic mesophase in which crystals grow. Harvesting and collecting diffraction data with the mesophase-grown crystals is also viewed with some trepidation. It is acknowledged that there are challenges associat

SUBMITTER: Caffrey M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3739445 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature