C.M.Lobley
et al.
(2016).
A generic protocol for protein crystal dehydration using the HC1b humidity controller.
Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol,
72,
629-640.
PubMed id: 27139626
DOI: 10.1107/S2059798316003065
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.