Shape change in crystallization of biological macromolecules

摘要: Conformational changes, and the formation of densely packed ordered aggregates or crystals, are behaviors that profoundly affect properties a molecule. Using example biological macromolecules, we discuss two types interactions between these behaviors. First, demonstrate shape change may be driven by crystallization if gain in free energy is sufficient to overcome transition an unfavorable molecular conformation. Hence, crystal structures flexible molecules poor representation their free-phase atomic arrangements. Second, with conformational variability, such as proteins, facilitate nucleation crystals forming dense liquid clusters enriched domain-swapped misassembled oligomers. In clusters, barrier reduced due lower surface crystal/dense interface, significantly faster.