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Book Reviews Protein Crystallization. Techniques, Strategies, and Tips. Edited by Terese M. Bergfors. International University Line, 1999. ISBN 0963681753.
This is a book that needs to lie on the benches of every laboratory in which attempts are being made to grow protein crystals. In these days of high-throughput crystallography, the timing of its publication is perfect. It essentially contains sets of experimental protocols for growing crystals, hints on what to change if your first try does not yield crystals, and some explanations of why one uses each method that has been written about. All of the methods that are currently used are described in simple terms and, in many cases, with experiments that are simple to follow in the laboratory. The reader is not expected to have had much experience in growing crystals, so this is a good book to use if you are starting to grow crystals. However, it also provides ideas on other strategies that can be tried if your crystallization experiments have not worked. The editor is Terese Bergfors from Uppsala University, Sweden, who has considerable experience teaching the subject. She has done a marvelous job, first by identifying a book that protein crystallographers need, and second by editing it in such a way that she has maintained a similar style and contents for each chapter, even though she only wrote some of the chapters. This is a model for anyone who edits a multiauthor volume; it reads seamlessly as if there was only one author. There are 19 chapters covered by 16 authors. The editor has selected several new techniques as well as the old tried and true ones (for which she offers alternative methods in many cases). Much information is provided, divided up into short chapters that are precise and to the point. Experimental techniques are well-described, and there are many relevant references at the end of each chapter so that additional information can readily be found, and thankfully, the titles of the articles are also listed, which makes it easier for the reader to select the required ones. The book begins with a chapter entitled “A Bit of Advice on Crystallizing Proteins” by Alex McPherson. He points out that the overall aim is to persuade biological molecules that “they are better off, happier if you will, in the crystal than in solution.” McPherson describes the two phases of crystallization. First, “...molecules must overcome an energy barrier to form a periodically ordered aggregate of critical size that can “survive” in a thermodynamic sense.” Second, growth is achieved if one can make “the solid state more
attractive to individual molecules than the free, solution state.” Methods for making these happen are then outlined. In the end of the book, however, it is pointed out by Alex Cameron (in a chapter entitled “One last piece of advice: appearances can be deceiving!”) that the most beautiful crystals are not necessarily the best diffractors and, of course, it is a good diffraction pattern that is the ultimate aim. Initially the book covers basic techniques, materials, and parameters involved in successful crystallization. Dynamic light scattering is recommended for determination of the size distribution and degree of aggregation of the protein, hence its crystallizability. Protein purity is stressed. “It is always advantageous to purify the protein yourself because you learn a great deal about its behavior in the process.” However, advice is given if you did not purify it yourself. Practical chemical techniques such as which precipitants to use (with lists), finding the optimal pH and temperature for crystallization, types of crystallization screens (sparse matrix and others), streak seeding, and macroseeding are included. Crystallization strategy is covered in several chapters, that is, how to plan the work. There are chapters on crystallization for cryocrystallography, the growth of crystals under oil, and what to do with membrane proteins. For example, the chapters on buffers and pH by Terese Bergfors and Kersten Fridborg, reverse screening by Enrico Stura, and the use of oils in crystal growth by Naomi Chayen contain interesting experiments for the crystallizer to try but so do many of the other excellent chapters. There is also a most useful appendix with hints (in alphabetical order). This includes information on handling glycerol, jeffamine, and PEG and on crystallization robots, microgravity, stabilization of crystals, silanization of cover slips, what to do when crystals stick to cover slips, and on the purity of all materials used. There is also an appendix on “Good-to-have gizmos,” supplies of materials, useful websites, and commercially available screens. As I said at the beginning, every protein crystallography laboratory needs a copy of this book. Jenny P. Glusker The Institute for Cancer Research, The Fox Chase Cancer Center CG020059C 10.1021/cg020059c
