Proteins fold or are refolded to complex 3-dimensional structures. This makes producing high quality protein crystals that allow high resolution structural determinations extremely difficult. Numerous chemical and physical conditions are often analysed to, hopefully, find a set of conditions favourable for crystal growth and often one of the main obstacles is obtaining sufficient quantities of soluble protein at a suitable concentration to conduct these experiments.

Using NVoy technology it is possible to keep proteins that are prone to aggregation in a soluble form for extended periods of time to allow this experimentation. It is also possible to increase the concentration of soluble proteins to levels that would normally lead to their precipitation and aggregation.  This property of NVoy, combined with the fact that it is easily reversible through the use of simple release agents such as Organics,  is of great interest to a number of researchers with a view to being able to manipulate phase space for a particular protein. 

In addition, many proteins are soluble only in the presence of additives, like detergents, which are prohibitive to good crystal growth. NV molecules can replace these problematic additives and maintain protein solubility – since they do not interfere with crystal formation these difficult to handle proteins can then be thoroughly analysed.

Current collaborations are also exploring the possibilities that NVoy may enable the growth of larger, better packed crystals by being able to control the release of NVoy from the protein surface, inducing lower protein solubility and the slower growth of crystals.

Release agents typically used include;  Expedeons Strong Release Agent (Carbohydrate with very high Affinity for NVoy), DMSO, Ethanol, Methanol, Iso-propanol.  However, any organic molecule with a low di-electric constant will significantly reduce the association between NVoy and protein.  Research is also underway to introduce volatile organic molecules into the reservoir allowing them to diffuse into the protein drop gradually reducing association between NVoy and protein. 

In addition, NVoy Polymer has been used simply as a crystallisation additive, please click here to read a letter of support from the Director of Crystallisation at Sanofi Aventis (Vitry sur Seinne).

For further information or to discuss how NVoy could work in your experiments please contact us at: scientist@expedeon.com