3D macromolecular structure analyses: Applications in plant proteins

Abstract

Attempts to relate the function to the structural features of biological macromolecules have intensified through the use of synchrotron radiation (SR) based techniques. Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SXAS) is a technique that has become readily accessible through several bamlines on SR sources all over the world. SAXS is used for obtaining low resolution structural information and is particularly useful for macromolecules that do not easily crystallize or alternatively when time-resolved structural information is required. In this paper use of SAXS for determination of structural parameters of a wheat metallothionein as a fusion protein with glutathione-stransferase (GST) is presented together with low resolution models. Results are discussed in the framework of functional roles of wheat metallothionein. © 2007 Springer.