Investigation of the Initial Crystallization Stage in Lysozyme Solutions by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

Abstract

From the base structure of tetragonal lysozyme crystals, the octamer cluster was selected as the possible element of crystal growth. The proposed model was verified by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements of lysozyme solutions. The results showed a noticeable presence of lysozyme dimers and octamers under crystallization conditions and the total absence of oligomers under conditions where crystal growth was impossible.