Data Processing in Neutron Protein Crystallography Using Position-Sensitive Detectors

摘要

Neutrons provide a unique probe for localizing hydrogen atoms and for distinguishing hydrogen from deuterons. Hydrogen atoms largely determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins and are responsible for many catalytic reactions. The study of hydrogen bonding and hydrogen exchange will therefore give insight into reaction mechanisms and conformational fluctuations. In addition, neutrons provide the ability to distinguish N from C and O and to allow correct orientation of groups such as histidine and glutamine. To take advantage of these unique features of neutron crystallography, one needs accurate Fourier maps depicting atomic structure to a high precision. In this paper, techniques are described for minimizing error in the observed structure factors by optimizing data collection and analysis procedures. Special attention is given to subtraction of the high background associated with hydrogen-containing molecules, which produces a disproportionately large statistical error. (ERA citation 08:016154)