Crystallization is often referred to as a bottleneck in protein structure determination. However applying rational, knowledge based strategies and attention to detail, has proved to be very successful in obtaining crystallization systems for studying protein/inhibitor complexes in drug discovery.
This seminar will describe the rationale and the methods that have been successfully used to crystallize medically relevant proteins [1] in four different pharmaceutical companies (Hoffmann-la Roche, Morphochem, Novartis and Actelion). The first part will deal with protein characterization prior to initiating crystallization trials [2], the different methods and strategies of screening and examples of protein modification for crystallization.
The second part will focus on seeding and describe general seeding methods as an introduction to the most important subject of the talk, Microseed Matrix Seeding (MMS) [3-4]. One of the most powerful methods introduced into protein crystallization in the past 10 years in particular for establishing suitable cocrystallisation or soaking systems for obtaining X-ray structures of inhibitors complexes.
Examples will be given of increased hit rates, elimination of twinning, improved diffraction and promoting different space groups.
The following are acknowledged for their significant contributios over many years, Paulus Erbel, Sandra Cowan-Jacob, May Marsh, Aengus Mac Sweeney, Frederic Villard.