Hi all Sticking to the first question, if you don't restrict yourself to _X-ray_ crystallography but use your local neutron source instead, it should be straightforward (subject to all the normal caveats).
On 10 Nov 2016, at 23:02, Tim Gruene wrote: > Dear JPK, > > to answer your first question, at atomic resolution you would notice a > density > difference between N and C. At a little less resolution you might still > measure difference in bond length. > > Regrds, > Tim > > On Thursday, November 10, 2016 8:41:43 PM CET Keller, Jacob wrote: >> Dear Crystallographers, >> >> I don't think there is any feasible way crystallographically to distinguish >> between nitrate and carbonate or bicarbonate-correct? But that is not my >> main question. >> >> My main question is: given that nitrate and carbonate are both very >> important and also very different physiologically, and therefore they must >> be distinguished/recognized by cells, how is this done, since the ions are >> so similar in structure? Is there some aspect of these ions that differs >> dramatically of which I am not aware? What kind of "handles" could a >> protein grab onto to distinguish between nitrate and carbonate/bicarbonate? >> >> JPK >> >> >> ******************************************* >> Jacob Pearson Keller, PhD >> Research Scientist >> HHMI Janelia Research Campus / Looger lab >> Phone: (571)209-4000 x3159 >> Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> >> ******************************************* > > > -- > -- > Paul Scherrer Institut > Tim Gruene > - persoenlich - > OFLC/102 > CH-5232 Villigen PSI > phone: +41 (0)56 310 5297 > > GPG Key ID = A46BEE1A Harry -- Dr Harry Powell Chairman of International Union of Crystallography Commission on Crystallographic Computing Chairman of European Crystallographic Association SIG9 (Crystallographic Computing)
