[ccp4bb]: questions on dimers in crystal packing

[Rongjin Guan <guanr@umbi.umd.edu>]

Sorry this is not a ccp4 question.
Can anybody give some hints on the following questions?

            1. Can one molecule form more than 1 kind of dimers
               in different crystallization conditions?

            2. If the answer is "yes", is there any possibilities
               that there is a dynamic equilibruim between them, and
               what we see in the crystal structure is the main
               dimeric form or the favorite dimer form?

            3. what are the main factors controling the dimer formation?

            4. Can the dimer formed in crystals reflect the situation in body
                if it is known to function as dimers biologically?
 

            any hints and clues will be greatly appreciated.

            Rongjin

-- 
Rongjin Guan, Ph.D.
Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology
9600 Gudelsky Drive
Rockville MD, 20850
Tel: 301-738-6210
Fax: 301-738-6255