Dear All,
I have a small doubt regarding possibility of formation of quasi-crystal of protein complex. I am trying to co-crystallize a heterodimeric protein complex of two small proteins (14KDa and 16KDa, both are human origin). One of them is a membrane protein. we have extensively characterized their qualitative and quantitative binding properties (with IP/IB, Confocal microscopy, ITC etc.). We are quite certain of their strong 1:1 binding stochiometry.
In some crystallizing conditions, we are getting some structures which appears to me as quasi-crystals (Image attached). However, I am not coming across ample examples of quasi-crystals of protein complexes.
I will be very keen to know if anyone had this (similar) kind of experience(s). And of course it would be wonderful to know if they are diffractable and, if yes, what are the odds of having good diffraction.
Best !!
Debasish
CSIR- Senior Research Fellow
Computational and Functional Genomics Group
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics
Hyderabad, INDIA
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