Recent data collections using neutron single-crystal diffractometers for biological macromolecules at JAEA

JAEA設置の生体高分子用中性子単結晶回折装置による最近の回折データ収集

栗原 和男; 玉田 太郎; 大原 高志   ; 黒木 良太

Kurihara, Kazuo; Tamada, Taro; Ohara, Takashi; Kuroki, Ryota

Hydrogen atoms and hydration water molecules in proteins are indispensable components on many naturally-occurring processes. Neutron crystallography is used to analyze the role of hydrogen in the structure and function of bio-macromolecules. There are two neutron diffractometers for biological macromolecules (BIX-3 and BIX-4) installed at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). They were constructed by Dr. Niimura and his group, and since 2004 the present authors have maintained and developed them. Data collection for a total of 16 proteins and DNA oligomers has been successful using BIX-3 and BIX-4. Data for 10 samples of them have been collected since 2004. From these experiments using BIX-3 and BIX-4, we have summarized an empirical relation between crystal volume, unit cell volume, and diffraction resolution. This provides prior estimate of the quality of neutron measurement on BIX-3 and 4 for given crystal size and cell constants.