Novel Devices for Transporting Protein Crystals to the Synchrotron Facilities and Thermal Protection of Protein Crystals

Abstract

In this article, we use novel and non-conventional devices, based on polyolefins that help to increase the thermal protection of protein crystals in their crystallization conditions for crystallographic applications. The present contribution deals with the application of some ad hoc devices designed for transporting protein crystals to the synchrotron facilities. These new devices help transporting proteins without cryo-cooling them, therefore replacing the conventional dry Dewars. We crystallized four model proteins, using the classic sitting-drop vapor diffusion crystallization setups. The model proteins lysozyme, glucose isomerase, xylanase, and ferritin were used to obtain suitable crystals for high-resolution X-ray crystallographic research. Additionally, we evaluated the crystallization of apo-transferrin, which is involved in neurodegenerative diseases. As apo-transferrin is extremely sensitive to the changes in the crystallization temperature, we used it as a thermal sensor to prove the efficiency of these thermal protection devices when transporting proteins to the synchrotron facilities.