Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Radiation damage continues to present a problem to crystallographers using cryocooled protein crystals at third-generation synchrotrons. Free-radical scavengers have been suggested as a possible means of reducing the rate of this damage. The screening of a large number of potential radioprotectants was undertaken with an online microspectrophotometer using cystine and cysteine to model protein disulfide bonds and thiol groups, respectively. Oxidized alpha-lipoic acid was tested as a possible model disulfide bond. The evidence for the effectiveness of ascorbate as a radioprotectant was strengthened, and quinone, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone, and reduced dithiothreitol showed promise as radioprotectants.

Original publication

DOI

10.1107/S0909049506044177

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Synchrotron Radiat

Publication Date

01/2007

Volume

14

Pages

73 - 83

Keywords

Computer Simulation, Crystallography, X-Ray, Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation, Protein Conformation, Protein Denaturation, Proteins, Radiation Dosage, Radiation-Protective Agents, X-Rays