タンパク質結晶化宇宙実験を成功させるためのサンプル調製

抄録

Sample quality is one of the important points for getting high quality protein crystals. Especially, in the case of the crystallization under microgravity, not only the purity of the sample, but also “uniformity of the sample” is quite important factor. By using highly purified protein sample, crystal quality could be improved by the protein crystallization experiments onboard “Kibo” conducted by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). According to results of crystallization by using samples without highly purification under microgravity as scientific control, crystal quality could not be improved effectively. Structure analysis by using high quality crystals obtained by space experiments reveal more detailed three-dimensional information of protein structures, water networks, interactions between enzyme and substrates/inhibitors.