The critical role of detergents in the crystallization of membrane proteins.

Significant progress in the elucidation of folding patterns of membrane proteins has been made over the past 10 years; yet, the scope of our knowledge remains extremely limited. Several difficulties beset the rational selection of crystallization conditions, of which the problem of the colloidal properties of detergent solutions is only one. In this report, specific critical parameters of colloidal solutions are considered: the shape of surfactant micelles and their clustering near phase transitions. If recognized, these properties may be exploited for crystallization. Yet, a systematic search of parameters remains necessary if the chances of obtaining a better view of the scope of membrane protein folding patterns are to be increased.