International
Tables for
Crystallography
Volume F
Crystallography of biological macromolecules
Edited by M. G. Rossmann and E. Arnold

© International Union of Crystallography 2006
International Tables for Crystallography (2006). Vol. F. ch. 4.1, p. 83   | 1 | 2 |

Table 4.1.2.1 

R. Giegéa* and A. McPhersonb

a Unité Propre de Recherche du CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 15 rue René Descartes, F-67084 Strasbourg CEDEX, France, and bDepartment of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92717, USA
Correspondence e-mail:  R.Giege@ibmc.u-strasbg.fr

Table 4.1.2.1 | top | pdf |
Factors affecting crystallization

Physical Chemical Biochemical
Temperature variation pH Purity of the macromolecule or impurities
Surface Precipitant type Ligands, inhibitors, effectors
Methodology or approach to equilibrium Precipitant concentration Aggregation state of the macromolecule
Gravity Ionic strength Post-translational modifications
Pressure Specific ions Source of macromolecule
Time Degree of supersaturation Proteolysis or hydrolysis
Vibrations, sound or mechanical perturbations Reductive or oxidative environment Chemical modifications
Electrostatic or magnetic fields Concentration of the macromolecules Genetic modifications
Dielectric properties of the medium Metal ions Inherent symmetry of the macromolecule
Viscosity of the medium Crosslinkers or polyions Stability of the macromolecule
Rate of equilibration Detergents, surfactants or amphophiles Isoelectric point
Homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleants Non-macromolecular impurities History of the sample