Small angle neutron scattering study of the quaternary structure of haemocyanin of Rapana thomasiana

Abstract Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments were performed on a series of solutions of haemocyanin (Hc) of Rapana thomasiana . In a first series of solutions, by changing the external contrast a model of the molecule that is apparently in disagreement with electron microscopy (EM) measurements was obtained. The apparent disagreement was resolved by performing experiments on a series of variable protein concentration solutions in D 2 O. The physical parameters of the model, extrapolated to zero concentration, are in excellent agreement with the EM results obtained on samples more dilute than those examined with SANS.