The use of small-angle X-ray scattering in the study of quaternary organisation of giant proteins

Abstract We report an investigation on the quaternary organisation of hemocyanin giant proteins, performed with continuous small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at the LURE facility. The molecular weight of a 11S subunit of molluscan hemocyanin was determined from the experimental data. Structural models of this subunit, which include seven or five functional units, were also derived and correlated to the whole molecule, which has the form of a hollow cylinder.