X-ray scattering is uniquely suited to the study of disordered systems and thus has the potential to provide insight into dynamic processes where diffraction methods fail. In particular, while X-ray crystallography has been a staple of structural biology for more than half a century and will continue to remain so, a major limitation of this technique has been the lack of dynamic information. Solution X-ray scattering has become an invaluable tool in structural and mechanistic studies of biological macromolecules where large conformational changes are involved. Such systems include allosteric enzymes that play key roles in directing metabolic fluxes of biochemical pathways, as well as large, assembly-line type enzymes that synthesize secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, crystallography has the potential to provide information on protein dynamics via the diffuse scattering patterns that are overlaid with Bragg diffraction. Historically, these patterns have been very difficult to interpret, but recent advances in X-ray detection have led to a renewed interest in diffuse scattering analysis as a way to probe correlated motions. Here, we will review X-ray scattering theory and highlight recent advances in scattering-based investigations of protein solutions and crystals, with a particular focus on complex enzymes.

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蛋白质结构动力学的X射线散射研究

X射线散射特别适合于无序系统的研究，因此有可能提供对衍射方法失败的动态过程的洞察力。特别是，尽管X射线晶体学已经成为结构生物学的主要基础，并且已经持续存在了半个多世纪，但该技术的主要局限在于缺乏动态信息。解决方案X射线散射已成为涉及大构象变化的生物大分子的结构和力学研究的宝贵工具。这样的系统包括在指导生化途径的代谢通量中起关键作用的变构酶，以及在制药应用中合成次级代谢产物的大型装配线型酶。此外，晶体学有潜力通过覆盖有布拉格衍射的弥散散射模式提供有关蛋白质动力学的信息。从历史上看，这些模式很难解释，但是X射线检测的最新进展已引起人们对扩散散射分析作为探测相关运动的一种新的兴趣。在这里，我们将回顾X射线散射理论，并重点介绍基于散射的蛋白质溶液和晶体研究的最新进展，特别是对复杂酶的研究。但是X射线检测的最新进展已引起人们对扩散散射分析（作为探测相关运动的一种方式）的新兴趣。在这里，我们将回顾X射线散射理论，并重点介绍基于散射的蛋白质溶液和晶体研究的最新进展，特别是对复杂酶的研究。但是X射线检测的最新进展已引起人们对扩散散射分析的新兴趣，作为探测相关运动的一种方法。在这里，我们将回顾X射线散射理论，并重点介绍基于散射的蛋白质溶液和晶体研究的最新进展，特别是对复杂酶的研究。