Diffraction data analysis in the presence of radiation damage

Dominika Borek, Marcin Cymborowski, Mischa MacHius, Wladek Minor, Zbyszek Otwinowski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

In macromolecular crystallography, the acquisition of a complete set of diffraction intensities typically involves a high cumulative dose of X-ray radiation. In the process of data acquisition, the irradiated crystal lattice undergoes a broad range of chemical and physical changes. These result in the gradual decay of diffraction intensities, accompanied by changes in the macroscopic organization of crystal lattice order and by localized changes in electron density that, owing to complex radiation chemistry, are specific for a particular macromolecule. The decay of diffraction intensities is a well defined physical process that is fully correctable during scaling and merging analysis and therefore, while limiting the amount of diffraction, it has no other impact on phasing procedures. Specific chemical changes, which are variable even between different crystal forms of the same macromolecule, are more difficult to predict, describe and correct in data. Appearing during the process of data collection, they result in gradual changes in structure factors and therefore have profound consequences in phasing procedures. Examples of various combinations of radiation-induced changes are presented and various considerations pertinent to the determination of the best strategies for handling diffraction data analysis in representative situations are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)426-436
Number of pages11
JournalActa Crystallographica Section D: Biological Crystallography
Volume66
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Experimental phasing
  • Radiation-induced specific changes
  • Relative B factor
  • Scaling B factor
  • Synchrotron radiation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology

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