Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of human Geminin coiled-coil domain

Initially discovered in Xenopus laevis, Geminin is a DNA replication initiation inhibitor found in higher eukaryotes. The coiled-coil domain of Human Geminin (termed GemH-37) has been crystallized by the vapor-diffusion sitting-drop method. A complete 1.74 A data set has been collected on a single orthorhombic crystal with unit cell parameters a = 25.25, b = 44.35, c = 68.58 A. Successful molecular replacement shows that GemH-37 is a dimeric parallel coiled-coil. Structural analysis is now in progress.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of electron transfer flavoproteins from human and Paracoccus denitrificans.

Mammalian electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) is a soluble, heterodimeric flavoprotein responsible for the oxidation of at least nine primary matrix flavoprotein dehydrogenases. Crystals have been obtained for the recombinant human electron transfer flavoprotein (ETFhum) by the sitting-drop vapor diffusion technique using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500 at pH 7.0 as the precipitating agent. ETFhum crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit cell parameters a = 47.46 angstrum, b = 104.10 angstrum, c = 63.79 angstrum, and beta = 110.02 degrees. Based on the assumption of one alpha beta dimer per asymmetric unit, the Vm value is 2.69 angstrum 3/Da. A native data set has been collected to 2.1 angstrum resolution. One heavy-atom derivative has also been obtained by soaking a preformed crystal of ETFhum in 2 mM thimerosal solution for 2h at 19 degrees C. Patterson analysis indicates one major site. The analogous electron transfer flavoprotein from Paracoccus denitrificans (ETFpar) has also been crystallized using PEG 8000 at pH 5.5 as the precipitating agent. ETFpar crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell parameters a = 79.98 angstrum, b = 182.90 angstrum, and c = 70.07 angstrum. The Vm value of 2.33 angstrum 3/Da is consistent with two alpha beta dimers per asymmetric unit. A native data set has been collected to 2.5 angstrum resolution.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of human salivary alpha-amylase.

Nonglycosylated alpha-amylase, a major component of human parotid saliva, has been crystallized by the vapor diffusion technique using 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol as the precipitant in the presence of CaCl2 at pH 9.0. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions of a = 53.3, b = 75.8, and c = 138.1 A. The asymmetric unit contains one amylase molecule. The solvent content is 54%. The crystals are stable to X-rays and diffract up to 2.8 A and appear to be suitable for X-ray diffraction studies.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of membrane-bound pyrophosphatases

Abstract

Membrane-bound pyrophosphatases (M-PPases) are enzymes that enhance the survival of plants, protozoans and prokaryotes in energy constraining stress conditions. These proteins use pyrophosphate, a waste product of cellular metabolism, as an energy source for sodium or proton pumping. To study the structure and function of these enzymes we have crystallized two membrane-bound pyrophosphatases recombinantly produced in Saccharomyces cerevisae: the sodium pumping enzyme of Thermotoga maritima (TmPPase) and the proton pumping enzyme of Pyrobaculum aerophilum (PaPPase). Extensive crystal optimization has allowed us to grow crystals of TmPPase that diffract to a resolution of 2.6 Å. The decisive step in this optimization was in-column detergent exchange during the two-step purification procedure. Dodecyl maltoside was used for high temperature solubilization of TmPPase and then exchanged to a series of different detergents. After extensive screening, the new detergent, octyl glucose neopentyl glycol, was found to be the optimal for TmPPase but not PaPPase.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Mirabilis antiviral protein.

Mirabilis antiviral protein is a single-chain ribosome-inactivating protein purified from the tuberous root of Mirabilis jalapa L. We obtained several forms of crystals of the protein by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method, but most of these crystals were not suitable for X-ray crystallography. After refining the growth conditions, crystals of crystallographic quality were grown in 20-microliters droplets of an equi-volume mixture of 1.5% (w/v) protein solution and a reservoir solution containing 49 to 50% (w/v) ammonium sulfate and 50 mM-ammonium citrate (pH 5.4) at room temperature. Addition of 2 mM-adenine sulfate reduced twinning and "crystal shower". The resulting trigonal crystals diffract beyond 2.5 A resolution using a rotating anode X-ray generator. The space group was determined to be P3(1)21 or P3(2)21 (a = b = 103.9.A, c = 134.6 A, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees) based on their precession photography of h0l and hk0 zones. There seems to be three monomers in an asymmetric unit for VM = 2.51 A3/Da.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of pig kidney DOPA decarboxylase.

DOPA decarboxylase from pig kidney, an alpha 2 dimeric enzyme of Mr = 107,000, has been crystallized by the vapour diffusion method with ammonium sulphate as precipitant. The crystals belong to the space group P6(2) (or its enantiomer P6(4)) and have unit cell dimensions of a = b = 155.9 A, c = 87.7 A, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees. They diffract to 2.6 A resolution. There is one dimeric molecule per asymmetric unit. Rotation function studies have revealed the orientation of the non-crystallographic 2-fold axis of the dimer in the asymmetric unit.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of recombinant pentalenene synthase.

Recombinant pentalenene synthase, a 42.5-kDa sesquiterpene cyclase originally isolated from Streptomyces UC5319 and cloned in Escherichia coli, has been crystallized in space group P6(3) with unit cell dimensions a = b = 183.5 A and c = 56.5 A. Hexagonal prismatic crystals, approximately 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.3 mm, diffract to approximately 2.9 A resolution using monochromatic synchrotron radiation. From the universal (and achiral) building block, farnesyl pyrophosphate, pentalenene synthase catalyzes the formation of four stereocenters in the construction of the three fused five-membered rings of pentalenene; this novel sesquiterpene is a precursor to the pentalenolactone family of antibiotics.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of botulinum neurotoxin type A.

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A was isolated from liquid culture of Clostridium botulinum. The pure Mr approximately 150,000 neurotoxin, composed of Mr approximately 50,000 light and Mr approximately 100,000 heavy chains, has been crystallized in three different crystal morphologies; all three have the same crystal form. The most suitable crystal form for X-ray analysis are bipyrimidal and crystallize in the hexagonal space group P3(1)21 (or P3(2)21) with one dimer per asymmetric unit. The unit cell dimensions are a = b = 170.5 A, c = 161.7 A. The crystals diffract to 3 A resolution.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a fungal endoglucanase I.

An endoglucanase I (EG1) from a fungal source (Humicola insolens) has been crystallized in a number of forms suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis. Four crystal forms have been grown from various precipitants using vapour phase diffusion methods in hanging drops. Three of these crystal forms diffract to beyond 2.5 A resolution. Two forms, obtained from ammonium sulphate at pH 5.4, or 8.0, grow as tetragonal bipyramids in space group P4(1)22 or P4(3)22, with approximate cell dimensions a = b = 102 A, c = 282 A. The other crystal forms were grown from polyethylene glycol 8000 at pH 8.0. One grows as monoclinic plates, space group P2(1), with cell dimensions a = 66.9 A, b = 75.2 A, c = 86.9 A and beta = 102.9 degrees and the other as long hexagonal rods in space group P6(1)22 or P6(5)22, with cell dimensions a = b = 119 A, c = 83 A.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray structure analysis of pigeon egg-white lysozyme.

Calcium binding lysozyme from pigeon egg-white was crystallized by the hanging drop vapor diffusion technique using ammonium sulphate as a precipitant. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), and have unit cell dimensions of a = 34.2 A, b = 34.8 A, and c = 99.4 A. One asymmetric unit contains one molecule of the pigeon lysozyme. The crystals diffract X-rays at least to 2.0 A resolution and are suitable for high resolution structure analysis. The diffraction data up to 3.0 A resolution were collected with a diffraction image processor, DIP100, using a Fuji imaging plate as an area detector. The structure was solved by the molecular replacement technique and refined to an R factor of 0.216. Least-squares fitting of the main-chains of pigeon egg-white lysozyme with those of chicken egg-white lysozyme and baboon alpha-lactalbumin showed that the main-chain folding of pigeon lysozyme is more similar to that of chicken lysozyme than that of alpha-lactalbumin. The largest differences between the pigeon and chicken lysozymes are in the surface loop regions.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of porcine synovial collagenase

Crystals of porcine synovial collagenase suitable for an X-ray structure analysis have been obtained. The crystals belong to space group I4, with unit cell dimensions a = b = 160.0 A, c = 53.1 A, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Diffraction extends beyond 3 A perpendicular to the c axis but along the 4-fold axis, the intensities are measurable only to 4 A.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of fluorescent protein mBanana

mBanana is a novel monomeric red fluorescent protein mutant. It was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli with 10 histidine residues at its N-terminal. After cleavage of the His tag by TEV protease, the mBanana was further purified and crystallized by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion technique. The crystals can diffract to 2.0A resolution and one set of completed data was collected. It showed that the orthorhombic mBanana crystal was in space group P21 with unit cell parameters (48.629, 42.667, 61.714, 90, 111.676, 90) and contained one molecule in one asymmetric unit.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase

gamma-Aminobutyric acid transaminase from pig liver, an alpha 2 dimeric enzyme of Mr 110,100, has been crystallized by the vapour diffusion method with polyethylene glycol as precipitant. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2(1), unit cell dimensions a = 82.1 A, b = 230.0 A, c = 70.3 A, beta = 123.9 degrees and diffract to 2.5 A resolution. There are two dimers per asymmetric unit.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of aldehyde dehydrogenase from Vibrio harveyi.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase from Vibrio harveyi catalyzes the oxidation of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes to acids. The enzyme is unique among the family of aldehyde dehydrogenases in that it exhibits much higher specificity for the cofactor NADP+ than for NAD+. The sequence of this form of the enzyme varies significantly from the NAD+ dependent forms, suggesting differences in the three-dimensional structure that may be correlated to cofactor specificity. Crystals of the enzyme have been grown both in the presence and absence of NADP+ using the hanging drop vapor diffusion technique. In order to improve crystal size and quality, iterative seeding techniques were employed. The crystals belong to space group P2(1), with unit cell dimensions a = 79.4 A, b = 131.1 A, c = 92.2 A, and beta = 92.4 degrees. Freezing the crystal to 100 K has enabled a complete set of data to be collected using a rotating anode source (lambda = 1.5418 A). The crystals diffract to a minimum d-spacing of 2.6 A resolution. Based on density calculations, two homodimers of molecular weight 110 kDa are estimated to be present in the asymmetric unit. Self-rotation functions show the presence of 3 noncrystallographic twofold symmetry axes.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia.

Large crystals of lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia have been grown at room temperature from solutions containing 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol and sodium citrate. They grow within two weeks to typical dimensions of 1.0 mm x 0.5 mm x 0.3 mm. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit cell parameters a = 84.91 A, b = 47.33 A, c = 86.00 A, and beta = 116.09 degrees. And they diffract to about 1.6 A upon exposure to synchroton X-rays. X-ray data have been collected to 2.2 A Bragg spacing from a native crystal.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of arylesterase from Vibrio mimicus.

Single crystals of arylesterase (EC 3.1.1.2) from Vibrio mimicus have been obtained from ammonium sulfate as a precipitant at room temperature for 2 months. The present crystals diffract up to 2.2 A resolution and belong to monoclinic space group P2(1). The cell dimensions are a = 55.65(1) A, b = 53.46(1) A, c = 65.79(1) A, and beta = 106.54(1) degrees. There are two molecules of molecular weight 22 kDa in an asymmetric unit with a solvent content of 43%.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of spruce budworm antifreeze protein.

Antifreeze proteins have the ability to bind to ice with high affinity and inhibit further crystal growth. The insect antifreeze protein from spruce budworm exhibits very high thermal hysteresis activity and is implicated in the protection of overwintering larvae from freezing. This protein has been crystallized in 20-25% polyethylene glycol (Mr 6000), 0.4 M NaCl, 0.1 M Tris-HCl, pH 8.5, by vapor diffusion using the hanging drop method. The resulting crystals are very thin (typically <0.01 mm in the shortest dimension), and only after repeated seeding could crystals be grown large enough for data collection using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group C2, with cell dimensions a = 82.28 A, b = 62.29 A, c = 63.63 A, and beta = 113.7 degrees. Molecules in the asymmetric unit are related by a twofold axis of symmetry with two molecules present. Native data to a resolution of 2.6 A have been collected with 90.3% completeness and a Rsym of 6.9%.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of glucose-fructose oxidoreductase from Zymomonas mobilis.

Glucose-fructose oxidoreductase (E.C. 1.1.99.-) from the ethanol-producing Gram-negative bacterium Zymomonas mobilis is a periplasmic, soluble enzyme that forms a homotetramer of 160 kDa with one NADP(H) cofactor per subunit that is tightly, but noncovalently, bound. The enzyme was crystallized by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method using sodium citrate as precipitant. The obtained crystals belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2, with unit cell constants of 84.6 A, 94.1 A, and 117.0 A, consistent with two monomers in the asymmetric unit. They diffract to a resolution of about 2 A and are suitable for X-ray structure determination.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of staphylococcal enterotoxin type C.

The Type C staphylococcal enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus strain FRI-909 has been crystallized using a combination of two precipitants, ammonium sulfate and polyethylene glycol 400, with the addition of small amounts of detergent. Two related crystal forms have been obtained, one triclinic, and one tetragonal, both with one toxin molecule per asymmetric unit. These crystals are stable for at least 75 hr in the X-ray beam and diffract to at least 2.2 and 2.6 A, respectively. The triclinic crystals have unit cell parameters a = 38.5 A, b = 43.7 A, c = 36.9 A, and interaxial angles alpha = 99.9 degrees, beta = 95.8 degrees, and gamma = 98.5 degrees. The tetragonal crystals are of space group P4(1)22 with unit cell parameters a = 43.4 A and c = 278.0 A.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of phosphoribulokinase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

A recombinant form of Rhodobacter sphaeroides phosphoribulokinase (PRK), expressed in Escherichia coli and isolated by affinity chromatography, was crystallized by the sitting drop vapor diffusion technique using NH4H2PO4 (pH 5.6) as the precipitating agent. PRK crystallizes in the cubic space group P432, with unit cell parameters a = b = c = 129.55 A. Based on the assumption of one 32-kDa monomer per asymmetric unit, the Vm value is 2.83 A3/Da. The octameric molecular symmetry is consistent with two planar tetramers stacked in a nearly eclipsed arrangement. A native data set has been collected to 2.6 A resolution.