Detergent effects on the light-harvesting chlorophyll A/B-protein complex crystallization revealed by fluorescence depolarization.

Detergent effects on the pre-crystallization of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex (LHCII) were investigated through the fluorescence depolarization method. Stable LHCII crystals were formed in the media containing Triton X-100 (TX) or n-nonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (NG) and the crystallization efficients were dependent on their concentrations. The second virial coefficient of crystallizing system, estimated by the fluorescence depolarization analysis of LHCII, showed the most harmonious value under the condition yielding the most efficient crystallization of LHCII to suggest that some specific molecular interaction leading to the crystal growth would be induced according to the concentration of TX or NG.