Visualizing enzyme intermediates using fast diffraction and reaction trapping methods: isocitrate dehydrogenase

Trapping intermediates in the crystal: ligand binding to myoglobin

Crystal structures of the reactive short-lived species that occur in chemical or binding reactions can be determined using X-ray crystallography via time-resolved or kinetic trapping approaches. Recently, various kinetic trapping methods have been used to determine the structure of intermediates in ligand binding to myoglobin.

Crystallographic structure determination of unstable species

Crystal structures of reactive short-lived species, as occurring during chemical reactions, can be determined through time-resolved crystallography or trapping approaches. Prerequisite is the initiation and characterization of the reaction in the crystal. Ways to do this, recent results, caveats, and future prospects are discussed.