Many locks to one key: N-acetyl­neuraminic acid binding to proteins

In structural biology, the analogy of a key (ligand) fitting a lock (protein) is commonly used to describe the binding process. In this context, we illustrate the evolutionary development of diverse locks that exhibit specific binding to a shared key: Neu5Ac. The intricate specificity of the interaction between various locks and the common key (Neu5Ac) is explored in our review.

Structure of Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase by cryo-electron microscopy to 1.42 Å resolution

A near-atomic resolution map was obtained for lumazine synthase while benchmarking a new microscope. At this resolution, waters, ligands and hydrogens were visible. A detailed outline of the methods used is presented that can employed for any single-particle cryo-EM experiment.

Fixed-target pump–probe SFX: eliminating the scourge of light contamination

Time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography experiments can be performed with samples delivered on solid supports. Sample consumption is significantly reduced when compared with the popular crystal-delivery system via high-viscosity extrusion.

Benchmarking predictive methods for small-angle X-ray scattering from atomic coordinates of proteins using maximum likelihood consensus data

Consensus small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data from five proteins in solution, generated from 171 independent measurements on 12 beamlines using a maximum likelihood method, are used to benchmark computational methods for predicting SAXS profiles from atomic coordinates. The results reveal important strengths and limitations of different methods that are serving a growing community of users in applications ranging from fundamental integrative structural biology to drug discovery and development.

In situ serial crystallography facilitates 96-well plate structural analysis at low symmetry

The determination of a challenging structure in the P1 space group, the lowest symmetry possible, shows how our in situ serial crystallography approach expands the application of crystallization plates as a robust sample delivery method.