Crystal growth inhibitors for the prevention of L-cystine kidney stones through molecular design.

[cystinuria]

Crystallization of L-cystine is a critical step in the pathogenesis of cystine kidney stones . Treatments for this disease are somewhat effective but often lead to adverse side effects . Real-time in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM ) reveals that L-cystine dimethylester (L-CDME ) and L-cystine methylester (L-CME ) dramatically reduce the growth velocity of the six symmetry-equivalent {100 } steps because of specific binding at the crystal surface , which frustrates the attachment of L-cystine molecules . L-CDME and L-CME produce l-cystine crystals with different habits that reveal distinct binding modes at the crystal surfaces . The AFM observations are mirrored by reduced crystal yield and crystal size in the presence of L-CDME and L-CME , collectively suggesting a new pathway to the prevention of L-cystine stones by rational design of crystal growth inhibitors .