PROTEINS: Structure, Function, and Genetics 37:509 (1999)
EDITOR’S CORNER
Inaugural Article in the Structure Note Format
In the early days of protein crystallography, each new
structure was both a Herculean achievement and a great
addition to our knowledge of protein structure and func-
tion. Today, structure determination has become much
more routine. Modern techniques for gene cloning and
efficient protein expression have provided a wealth of new
targets for crystallization. At the same time, new technolo-
gies, such as synchrotron radiation and MAD phasing,
have greatly simplified the process of structure solution.
The result is the flood of new protein structures that we
have all witnessed.
The simplified technology has also enabled laboratories
to undertake the determination of structures that are of
limited general interest. For example, there are probably
r 1999 WILEY-LISS, INC.
hundreds of structures of Fab’s in the PDB and proprietary
databases combined. As a consequence, the editors of
Proteins see numbers of manuscripts that describe highly
professional protein crystal structure determinations, but
that contain too little new information to be worthy of
publication as a full-length article. The new short format
of Structure Notes (see Instructions to Authors) is de-
signed to provide brief accounts of such structures. The
article by Whitby and Phillips in this issue represents the
initial publication in this format; we welcome additional
submissions.
Eaton E. Lattman
Editor-in-Chief