An in situ AFM investigation of catalase crystallization

Surface morphology, growth and dissolution of crystals of the protein catalase were studied by in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). Growth of the (001) face of catalase crystals proceeds in alternating patterns by two-dimensional nucleation and successive deposition of two distinctive growth layers, each having a step height equal to half the unit cell parameter. Shapes of two-dimensional nuclei exhibit strong asymmetry due to directional...