Control of protein crystallisation by adding layered silicates

摘要

Abnormalities of protein molecules within the body are deeply related to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Analyzing the three-dimensional structure of proteins is essential for innovating drug to counter this type of disease. By using X-ray single crystal structural analysis, it is possible to determine the atomic coordinate inside of a crystal. A three-dimensional structure of a protein is obtained from the diffraction pattern of the X-ray analysis. The analysis of the three-dimensional structure of proteins is important in elucidation of life phenomena and designing drugs. Furthermore, proteins have themselves high-functionality as new materials. Single crystals are expected to be applied in the industrial field such as bio-computers. However, only around a one-hundred millionth protein was analyzed to date. This is because it is difficult to obtain the single crystals necessary for X-ray pattern analysis. Proteins have complex molecular structures and their bonding power between molecules is weak, making the crystallization itself difficult. Depending on the adjustment of degree of super saturation, there will be a difference in crystal growth and form. For this reason, production of high-quality protein crystal which makes X-ray pattern analysis possible, as well as the examination of an efficient production method, would be indispensable.