Protein Self-Assembly in Crystals and Films

Crystallography Reports - The review presents the important unique results of the cycle of research led by M.V. Kovalchuk on the fundamental patterns of protein interactions and the protein...     

X-ray diffraction and X-ray standing-wave study of the lead stearate film structure

A new approach to the study of the structural quality of crystals is proposed. It is based on the use of X-ray standing-wave method without measuring secondary processes and considers the multiwave interaction of diffraction reflections corresponding to different harmonics of the same crystallographic reflection. A theory of multiwave X-ray diffraction is developed to calculate the rocking curves in the X-ray diffraction scheme under consideration for a long-period quasi-one-dimensional crystal. This phase-sensitive method is used to study the structure of a multilayer lead stearate film on a silicon substrate. Some specific structural features are revealed for the surface layer of the thin film, which are most likely due to the tilt of the upper layer molecules with respect to the external normal to the film surface.     

X-ray and synchrotron methods in studies of cultural heritage sites

X-ray and synchrotron methods that are most widely used in studies of cultural heritage objects (including archaeological sites)—X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray spectroscopy, and visualization techniques— have been considered. The reported examples show high efficiency and informativeness of natural science studies when solving most diverse problems of archaeology, history, the study of art, museology, etc.     

Formation of partially ordered organic planar systems based on the in situ control of their structural organization

The possibilities of significantly improving the quality of planar systems based on photoactive porphyrin–fullerene dyads, layers based on cytochrome c and cardiolipin, and lysozyme crystals and films using a complex of in situ X-ray methods and simulation are described. The potential of X-ray phase-sensitive and surface-sensitive methods developed by M.V. Koval’chuk and researchers from his school in monitoring all stages of synthesis of partially ordered organic structure is demonstrated. This approach shows its efficiency for in situ studies: starting from the formation of complexes in solutions up to the growth of protein films and crystals.     

Small-angle X-ray scattering study of conditions for the formation of growth units of protein crystals in lysozyme solutions

The structural composition of lysozyme solutions favorable for the formation of the tetragonal form of protein crystals was studied by synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering depending on the protein concentration and the temperature. Along with lysozyme monomers, dimers and octamers are found in crystallization solutions; the octamer content increases with an increase in the protein concentration.     

Thermal stability of organic layered systems based on lead stearate

The structural variation in multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett films of lead stearate caused by heat treatment under different conditions in the temperature range 20–100°C is investigated by X-ray reflectometry and high-resolution electron diffraction. Successive annealing of the samples is shown to not alter the initial layered structure at temperatures of 60, 80, and 100°C; partial disturbance of the layered structure occurs upon successive annealing at 80°C and 100°C. Significant disturbance of the structure is observed when the films are heated immediately to 100°C. In all these cases, the orthorhombic (pseudomonoclinic) lattice, with the lattice constants: a = 0.496, b = 0.738, c = 9.60 nm, α = β = γ = 90°, space group P2/1b, formed by transferring monolayers onto the substrate is retained in the crystalline domains of the film.     

Study of the Influence of a Precipitant Cation on the Formation of Oligomers in Crystallization Solutions of Lysozyme Protein

Crystallography Reports - The influence of the precipitant cation type in a series of chlorides (NaCl, KCl, LiCl, NiCl2, CuCl2, CoCl2) on the structure of lysozyme solutions has been investigated...     

Erratum to: Effect of the Simulation Box Size and Precipitant Concentration on the Behavior of Tetragonal Lysozyme Dimer

Crystallography Reports - An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063774521070282     

Determination of the Active Surface of Silica-gel Supported Co3O4 by Hydrogen Reduction Rate Measurements

The method of Mekhandzhiev and Dyakova for the determination of the active surface of supported oxide catalysts, based on the rate of their reduction with gaseous reagents has been applied to silica-gel supported Co₃O₄. Different aspects of the interaction of the active phase with the support have been discussed.