Ice Isn’t the Only Crystal in Town: Structure Determination of Ice-Binding Proteins via X-Ray Crystallography

Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) are proteins that have the remarkable ability to bind to ice, and their study has intrigued researchers for decades. This chapter explores the importance of structural biology in understanding IBPs and highlights the significant contributions of IBPs to the field of structural biology. The structures of various IBPs from different organisms have been elucidated, revealing key elements involved in ice binding. Structural biology techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, transmission electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM), and X-ray crystallography, play crucial roles in solving protein structures. This article focuses on X-ray crystallography as a tool for investigating IBP structures, providing insights into its theoretical and practical aspects, experimental workflows, and common pitfalls to avoid.