%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Crystal Growth %D 2017 %T Infrared light-induced protein crystallization. Structuring of protein interfacial water and periodic self-assembly %A Kowacz, Magdalena %A Mateusz Marchel %A Lina Juknaité %A José M.S.S. Esperança %A Romão, Maria João %A Ana Luísa Carvalho %A Luís Paulo N. Rebelo %K A4. Crystal growth from solution %P 362 - 368 %R https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2016.01.003 %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022024816000178 %V 457 %X

Abstract We show that a physical trigger, a non-ionizing infrared (IR) radiation at wavelengths strongly absorbed by liquid water, can be used to induce and kinetically control protein (periodic) self-assembly in solution. This phenomenon is explained by considering the effect of İR\} light on the structuring of protein interfacial water. Our results indicate that the İR\} radiation can promote enhanced mutual correlations of water molecules in the protein hydration shell. We report on the radiation-induced increase in both the strength and cooperativeness of H-bonds. The presence of a structured dipolar hydration layer can lead to attractive interactions between like-charged biomacromolecules in solution (and crystal nucleation events). Furthermore, our study suggests that enveloping the protein within a layer of structured solvent (an effect enhanced by İR\} light) can prevent the protein non-specific aggregation favoring periodic self-assembly. Recognizing the ability to affect protein-water interactions by means of İR\} radiation may have important implications for biological and bio-inspired systems.

%Z

SI: CRYS_ECCG5