Using Temperature To Crystaltize Proteins: A Mini-Review

The aim of this overview of the work of Marseille Nanoscience Center is to provide biocrystallographs that intend to tackle crystallization with practical examples of the effect of temperature on protein phase separation and crystallization. Crystallization involves two separate processes: nucleation and growth, which are rarely completely unconnected. Here we give four concrete examples illustrating how temperature can be used to crystallize proteins. We describe the nucleation of a new phase, solid or liquid and the growth and transformation of existing crystals obtained by seeding or primary or secondary nucleation. The advantages of temperature as a crystallization parameter are constant composition, ease of control and monitoring and reversibility.