New Crystal Forms of the Motile Major Sperm Protein (MSP) ofAscaris suum

We have obtained two new crystal forms of theAscarismajor sperm protein (MSP) that mediates amoeboid cell motility in nematode sperm. We obtained crystals with C2 symmetry from bacterially expressed α-MSP witha= 216.5 Å,b= 38.6 Å,c= 32.5 Å, γ = 93.1° and also crystals with P2₁symmetry from native β-MSP witha= 63.1 Å,b= 91.7 Å,c= 72.5 Å, γ = 91.3°. A full native data set has been collected for each crystal form using synchrotron radiation. Both crystal forms diffract to 2 Å and are suitable for high-resolution structural investigation.     

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the bacteriophage φ29 connector particle

The connector or portal particle from double-stranded DNA bacteriophage φ29 has been crystallized. This structure, which connects the head of the virus with the tail and plays a central role in prohead assembly and DNA packaging and translocation, is formed by 12 subunits of the p10 protein and has a molecular weight of 430 kDa. The connector structure was proteolysed with endoproteinase Glu-C from Staphylococcus aureus V8, which removes 13 and 18 amino acids from the amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of the p10 protein, respectively. Two crystal forms were grown from drops containing an alcohol solution and paraffin oil. Crystals of form I are monoclinic, space group C2 with cell dimensions a=416.86 Å, b=227.62 Å, c=236.68 Å and β=96.3° and contain four connector particles per asymmetric unit. Crystals of form II are tetragonal, space group P4₂2₁2 with cell dimensions a=b=170.2 Å, c=156.9 Å and contain half a particle per asymmetric unit. X-ray diffraction data from both native crystal forms have been collected to 6.0 and 3.2 Å respectively, using synchrotron radiation. Crystals of form II are likely to have the same packing arrangement as the two-dimensional crystals analyzed previously by electron microscopy.     

trans-Bis[(thiocyanato-S)(1-methylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione)-μ2-(1-methylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione)copper(I)]: preparation, thermal analysis and crystal structure

1-Methylimidazoline-2(3H)-thione (mimtH) and copper(I) thiocyanate in refluxing ethanolacetonitrile produce a colourless, diamagnetic complex, [Cu₂(mimtH)₄(SCN)₂], which crystallises in an orthorhombic cell (a=8.0724(3), b=15.9545(6), c=21.3357(8) Å), space GROUP=Pbca, Z=4, final R=0.0319 from 2427 observed reflections F>4σ_c(F)). In the dimeric complex the copper(I) atoms are pseudo-tetrahedrally coordinated by pairs of, respectively, asymmetrically μ₂-S bridging mimtH, terminal monodentate-S mimtH, (Cu---S=2.290(1) Å), and terminal monodentate-S thiocyanate, (Cu---S=2.332(1) Å). Each pair of ligands is trans-related to its partner across crystallographic centres of symmetry, consequently, each copper(I) atom has an identical S₄ donor set with angles at the metal ranging from 95.9(1)° to 121.8(1)°. The centro-symmetric Cu₂S₂ core is rhomboid with Cu---S=2.377(1) and 2.457(1) Å, Cu---S_br---Cu=72.6(1)° and Cu---Cu, S_br---S_br separation distances of 2.861(1) and 3.897(2) Å, respectively. Thermal decomposition of the complex in flowing air, (133–1000 °C), involves de-sulfurisation of mimtH and thiocyanate with concomitant production of copper(II) sulfide followed by oxidation to copper(II) oxide.     

Preparation and characterization of some uranyl complexes of amino acids. The crystal structure of [UO2(γ-aminobutanoic acid)3] (NO3)2

Uranyl complexes of glycine, β-alanine and γ-aminobutanoic acid were prepared and characterized. All those studied or examined contain the aminoacids in the zwitterionic form binding the metal through the ionized carboxyl group. The structure of the title compound was determined by X-ray crystallography and refined to R=6.6%. The crystals are triclinic, space group P1, Z = 2, with a = 11.966(5), b = 12.054(5), c = 10.581(5) Å, α = 70.88(3)°, β = 109.89(3)°, and γ = 120.72(3)°. The uranyl group is equatorially bonded to the bidentate carboxylate of three molecules of the organic ligand forming a distorted hexagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry around the metal. U---O(equatorial) distances are in the range 2.24–2.48 Å.     

Three-Dimensional Structure of the Porcine Gastric H,K-ATPase from Negatively Stained Crystals

A low-resolution three-dimensional model of membrane-bound H,K-ATPase from pig gastric mucosa has been reconstructed by electron microscopy and image processing of two-dimensional crystals in negative stain. The crystal formation is induced by magnesium and vanadate, which stabilize the E₂conformation of the enzyme. The unit cell, with a size ofa=b= 123 Å, γ = 90°, has tetragonal p4 symmetry. There are four separate αβ protomers within each unit cell. The high-contrast region is limited to the cytoplasmic part of the protein. The total volume of the observed asymmetric protein domain corresponds to a molecular mass of 80–90 kDa. It consists mainly of a large pear-shaped domain measuring 60 × 45 Ų, with a height of 50 Å as measured perpendicular to the membrane plane. A small stalk segment, 20 Å in length, forms a connection to the transmembrane region.     

Crystallization and Characterization of Pumilio: A Novel RNA Binding Protein

Axis determination in early Drosophila embryos is controlled, in part, by regulation of translation of mRNAs transcribed in maternal cells during oogenesis. The Pumilio protein is essential in posterior determination, binding to hunchback mRNA in complex with Nanos to suppress hunchback translation. In order to understand the structural basis of RNA binding, Nanos recruitment, and translational control, we have crystallized a domain of the Drosophila Pumilio protein that binds RNA. The crystals belong to the space group P6₃ with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 94.5 Å, c = 228.9 Å, α = β = 90°, γ = 120° and diffract to 2.6 Å with synchrotron radiation. We show that the purified protein actively binds RNA and is likely to have a novel RNA binding fold due to a very high content of α-helical secondary structure.     

Crystallization and Preliminary X-Ray Analysis of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris R-47 α-Amylase II

Crystals of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris α-amylase II, which is a new type of α-amylase having hydrolysis activities for pullulan and cyclodextrins, have been obtained and diffraction data to 2.9 Å resolution were collected. The crystal belongs to an orthorhombic system with cell dimensions of a = 119.5 Å, b = 120.6 Å, and c = 114.6 Å and a space group of P 2₁2₁2₁. Two or three protein molecules are expected to exist in an asymmetric unit.     

Crystal structures of cyclomaltohexaose (α-cyclodextrin) complexes with p-chlorophenol and p-cresol

Crystal structures of cyclomaltohexaose (α-cyclodextrin) complexes with p-chlorophenol and p-cresol have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The space group of the α-cyclodextrin–p-chlorophenol complex is P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell dimensions of a=15.299(3), b=24.795(5), c=13.447(5) Å, and that of the α-cyclodextrin–p-cresol complex is P2₁ with unit cell dimensions of a=7.927(7), b=13.568(7), c=24.54(1) Å, β=90.41(8)°. In spite of the similar structures of guest molecules, both complexes have different inclusion modes and packing structures.     

Synthesis, structural analysis and anticonvulsant activity of a ternary Cu(II) mononuclear complex containing 1,10-phenanthroline and the leading antiepileptic drug valproic acid

The synthesis and characterization of the binary complex of copper(II) with the antiepileptic drug valproic acid sodium salt (Valp) and the related ternary complex with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) are reported, as well as the anticonvulsant properties of the latter. The characterization was carried out by means of elemental analyses, infrared (IR), UV–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). The X-ray crystal structure of the mononuclear complex bis(2-propylpentanoate)(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) [Cu(Valp)₂phen] is showed for the first time. It crystallized in C2/c space group with unit cell dimensions of a = 14.939(1) Å, b = 19.280(1) Å, c = 9.726(1) Å, β = 97.27(2)°, V = 2778.8(4) Å ³ and Z = 8. The carboxylates bond in an asymmetric chelating mode and the copper atom adopts a highly distorted octahedral coordination, characterized by the sum of the angles of 365.9° around Cu(II) and its nearest atoms in the CuN₂O₂ + O₂ chromophore instead of the expected 360° for a basal square planar geometry found in most Cu(II) complexes. Molecules assemble three by three through slipped π–π stacking of the aromatic phen with respectively 3.519 and 3.527 Å distances, in a head-to-tail arrangement. Studies of the anticonvulsant properties of this bioligand chelate evidenced its lack of efficacy in preventing MES-induced seizures. Interestingly, complex 4 protected mice against the Minimal Clonic seizures at doses that do not cause Rotorod toxicity, with an ED₅₀ documenting very potent anticonvulsant activity in this model of seizure, a particularly useful pharmacological profile of activity for the treatment of Petit Mal seizures.     

Preparation, X-ray structure and solution behavior of [Ag(9-EtGH-N7)2]NO3·H2O (9-EtGH=9-ethylguanine)

The preparation and X-ray structure of [Ag(9-EtGH-N7)₂]NO₃·H₂O(9-EtGH=neutral 9-ethylguanine) is reported. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P with a=7.063(6), b=7.153(3), c=11.306(10) Å, α=83.36(6), β=76.66(7), γ=81.44(6)°. The cation is centrosymmetric with Ag(I) coordinated via two N7 positions and Ag---N7 bond lengths of 2.11(1) Å. Applying ¹⁰⁹Ag NMR spectroscopy, complex formation constants for both the 1:1 complex (log β₁=0.6) and the title compound (log β₂=1.6) in Me₂SO have been determined.     

A study of the reactivity and structure of cyclic α,β-unsaturated Fischer-type carbene complexes

Cycloaddition reactions with α,β-unsaturated carbene complexes of the Fischer-type bearing the carbene carbon atom and the double bond incorporated in the same ring are described. Pentacarbonyl(2H-benzopyran-2- ylidene)chromium(0) complexes (2a-c) and pentacarbonyl(4-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxacyclopentylidene)- chromium(0) (3) show a rather low reactivity towards 1,3-dipoles and 1,3-dienes. The reactions with diazomethane are regioselective but not chemoselective; compounds 2 and 3 show two sites of attack: the α,β carbon-carbon and the carbon-metal double bond. The crystal and molecular structures of 2a and 3 have been elucidated by single crystal X-ray analysis. Crystals of 2a are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=7.614(3), b=14.033(3), c=12.766(3) Å, β=95.24°, V=1358.3(7) Å Z=4; crystals of 3 are triclinic, space group P , a=6.553(1), b=9.408(1), c=10.620(1) Å α=92.70(1), β=92.30(1), γ=92.12(1)°, V=653.0(1), ų, Z=2. Final agreement indices for 2a and 3 are R=0.034 and 0.033, respectively. Vibrational properties of the Cr(CO)₅ moiety were interpreted by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. Electronic spectra and π electron distribution were interpreted by resonance Raman spectroscopy.     

Type IIβ Regulatory Subunit of cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase: Purification Strategies to Optimize Crystallization

To elucidate the structural basis for important differences between types I and II regulatory subunit isoforms (RI and RII) of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase, the full-length RIIβ isoform and five RIIβ deletion mutants were constructed, expressed, purified, and screened for crystallization. Only one of these six proteins yielded diffraction quality crystals. Crystals were grown of the RIIβ deletion mutant (Δ1–111) monomer potentially in complex with two cAMP molecules. X-ray diffraction quality data were obtained only after significant modification to existing purification procedures. Modifications required a Sepharose, not agarose, support for cAMP affinity chromatography followed by rapid, quantitative removal of free cAMP by size-exclusion chromatography under reducing conditions. Data to 2.4 Å resolution were collected at 29°C using synchrotron radiation on a single crystal measuring 0.2 × 0.3 × 1.2 mm³. Data were 99% complete. The hexagonal crystal belonged to space group P6₍₁₎ or P6₍₅₎ with unit cell dimensions a = b = 161.62 Å and c = 39.66 Å.     

Synthesis and structure of an organosamarium aryloxide complex, (C5 Me5)2 Sm(OC6HMe4-2,3,5,6)

Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)samarium bis- (tetrahydrofuranate), (C₅Me₅)₂Sm(THF)₂, reacts with 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenol in toluene to yield (C₅Me₅)₂Sm(OC₆HMe₄-2,3,5,6). The compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with a = 8.725(3) Å, b=18.821(6) Å, c=18.461(6) Å, β= 111.17(2)°, V = 2827(2) ų and D_c=1.340 g cm⁻³ for Z = 4. Molecules of the aryloxide complex are monomeric and exhibit a bent metallocene structure with a nearly linear Sm---O---C(aryloxide) linkage: Sm---O = 2.13(1) Å, O---C = 1.29(2) Å, and Sm---O---C = 172.3(13)°. Reaction of the samarium complex with phenyllithium produces the previously- characterized species (C₅Me₅)₂Sm(C₆H₅)(THF).     

X-ray crystal structures of the copper(II), nickel(II) and silver(I) complexes of a 17-membered dibenzo macrocycle with a N3S2 donor set

The copper(II), nickel(II) and silver(I) complexes of the pentadentate 17-membered macrocycle 1, 12, 15-triaza-3, 4:9, 10-dibenzo-5,8-dithiacycloheptadecane (L¹) have been prepared as perchlorates and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The N₃S₂ ligand uses all donor atoms for complexation. The copper coordination is square pyramidal with one sulfur atom in the axial site. Ni(II) displays an octahedral coordination by an interaction with a water molecule. The Ag(I) coordination is best described as a distorted pentagonal bipyramid. In [CuL¹]²⁺ the 1, 4, 7-triazaheptane fragment of L¹ is meridionally coordinated, but facially in [NiL¹(H₂O)]²⁺ and intermediate in [AgL¹](ClO₄). Crystal data for [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 13.153(8), b = 11.951(5), c = 17.880(8)Å, β = 110.29(4)°, Z = 4, R = 0.086 for 2732 independent reflections with I 2σ(I); [NiL¹(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂: monoclinic, P2₁/a, a = 10.771(2), b= 16.157(2), c = 15.286(2) Å, β =93.08(1)°, Z = 4, R = 0.085 for 1464 independent reflections with I 2σ(I); [AgL¹](ClO₄): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 12.708(9), b = 9.483(7), c = 19.569(13) Å, β= 103.95(6)°, Z = 4, R = 0.039 for 3600 independent reflections with I 2σ(I).     

N7 and C8 coordinated purine complexes of [(NH3)5Os]. Crystal structures of 7-[9MeHyp(NH3)5Os]Cl3·H2O and 8-[1,3,7Me3Xan(NH3)5Os]Cl3·2H2O

Pentaammineosmium(III) coordinates to both the N7 and C8 positions of purine rings. The compound 7-[9MeHyp(NH₃)₅Os]Cl₃·H₂O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with the unit cell parameters: a=11.542(2), b=6.9841(8), c=21.960(3) Å and Z=4. The compound 8-[1,3,7Me₃Xan(NH₃)₅Os]Cl₃·2H₂O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14) with the unit cell parameters: a=7.1228(X), b=14.613(1), c=19.667(1) Å, β=91.782(9)° and Z=4. The Os---C bond in the latter structure is 2.039(9) Å and the imidazolylidine ligand exerts a slight trans influence seen in the lengthening of the Os---N_ax distance (2.172(8) Å) by about 0.05 Å relative to the average of the equatorial Os---N_eq value of 2.123(8) Å. The spectroscopic, electrochemical and structural properties of these and additional N-bound purine complexes are compared with those of similar N7 and C8 ruthenium(III) species.     

The X-ray structure analysis of bis-2,2′,N,N′-bipyridyl ketone cobalt(III) nitrate dihydrate

An X-ray structural analysis of bis-2,2′,N,N′-bipyridyl ketone cobalt(III) nitrate dihydrate, CoC₂₂H₂₀N₄O₄⁺· NO₃⁻·2H₂O,M_r=559.38 g/mol, P , a=8.862(2), b=16.195(3), c=8.772(2) Å, α=103.54(2), β=95.74(3), γ=105.07°, V=1164.4(4) ų, Z=2, D_x=1.595 g/cm³, Mo Kα radiation (λ=0.71073 Å), μ=7.8 cm⁻¹ and R=0.079, revealed a Co(III) cation in a slightly distorted octahedral environment. The structure reveals that the ligand di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk) has undergone a hydration reaction across the ketone double bond and one of the hydrate oxygen atoms coordinated to the metal forming a tridentate chelate. This new Co(dpk-hydrate)₂⁺ complex displays the least distorted geometry yet reported for either 1:1 or 1:2 (metal:ligand) complexes. A geometry optimization using the INDO model Hamiltonian as implemented in the program ZINDO was performed on the title complex with the Co³⁺ modeled as a singlet. The result of the computation corroborates the geometry of the title complex as that expected for Co³⁺.     

The crystal structures of 4,4′-bipyridinium μ-(4,4′-bipyridine)bis[diaquatetranitratoneodymate(III)]-tris(4,4′-bipyridine) and a second monoclinic form of triaquatrinitratoholmium(III) – bis (4,4′-bipyridine)

The structures of (4-bipyH)₂[(μ-4-bipy)Nd₂(NO₃)₈(H₂O)₄]·3(4-bipy) (4-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine; P2₁/c, a = 18.723(10), b = 10.720(6), c = 18.027(10) Å, β = 94.43(5)°, Z = 2; R = 0.066 for 4931 (diffractometer data) and of a second monoclinic form of [Ho(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃]·2(4-bipy) (P2₁/c, a = 15.830(10), b = 21.44(3), c = 15.70(3) Å, β = 100.4(2)°, Z = 8; R = 0.091 for 2335 film data) are reported. In the first compound pairs of Nd atoms are bridged across a crystal inversion centre by a 4-bipy ligand, and 10-coordination is completed by one monodentate NO₃, three bidentate NO₃, and two H₂O ligands, with bond lengths Nd---N 2.70, Nd---OH₂(av.) 2.44, Nd---O(NO₃, av.) 2.56 Å. The second compound has a variant of the previously-reported monoclinic [Y(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃]·2(4-bipy) structure, with doubling of the unit cell on a but with essentially no change in the geometry and orientation of the nine-coordinate complex. In both compounds the non-coordinated, non-protonated 4-bipy N atoms form hydrogen bonds with ligand H₂O.     

1,2-diaminobenzene adducts of nickel(II) 1,3-diketonates: Their role in dibenzotetraaza[14]annulence macrocycle formation

The attempted preparation of the macrocyclic ligand,6,8,15,17-tetraphenyldibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecine from 1,2-diaminobenzene, 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione, and nickel(II)acetate via a template condensation is unsuccessful because of severe steric interactions in the desired product. The product isolated from this reaction, in high yield, is the bis(1,2-diaminobenzene) adduct of bis(1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedionato) nickel(II).Crystals of the adduct are monoclinic with a = 7.425(1), b = 12.221(3), c = 19.194(3) Å, β = 97.01°, Z = 2, V = 1728.7 ų, and space group P2₁/n. The structure was solved by the heavy atom method and difference Fourier techniques, and refined by the block-diagonal least-squares method to a final R of 0.0379 for 2218 reflections with I>2σ(I). An empirical absorption correction was made via ψ-scan of 5 reflections with 2θ-values between 5 and 90°, and χ close to 90°. The compound consists of a square planar Ni(II)---O₄ array with two molecules of axially coordinated diamine. The monodentate trans arrangement of a diamine molecules gives the compound the overall pseudo-octahedral geometry that is common to adducts of metal 1,3-diketonates.The 6,8,15,17-tetramethyl macrocycle is readily formed via template condensation when the diketone employed is 2,4-pentanedione. The bis(1,2-diaminobenzene) adduct of bis(2,4-pentanedionato)nickel(II) has also been prepared. A small amount of macrocycle can be detected by refluxing this latter adduct in alcohol. The principal product is (1,2-diaminobenzene) tetrakis(2,4-pentanedionato)dinickel(II).     

Cloning, expression, characterization and crystallization of BRP39, a signalling glycoprotein expressed during mammary gland apoptosis

Breast regression protein (BRP39) is a glycoprotein, which is expressed during mammary gland involution in mouse. The physiological function of BRP39 is not known. High levels of expression of BRP39 have also been associated with breast cancer development. In the present investigation a cDNA encoding rBRP39 (recombinant BRP39) was cloned by PCR techniques. It consists of 1,143 nucleotides and encodes an open reading frame of 381 amino acid residues including a signal sequence of 21 amino acids. Recombinant BRP39 was produced in E. coli in a soluble form at low temperature (15 °C). Expression and purification of rBRP39 was confirmed by western blot analysis. Purified rBRP39 showed high chitin-binding activity but no chitinase activity. The lack of chitinase activity may be attributed to the mutation of critical active site residue Glu120 to Leu120 and Asp118 to Ala118 in BRP39. However, a mutant in which the residue was reverted back to Glu, by site directed mutagenesis, displayed no chitinase activity. Purified recombinant BRP39 was crystallized and the crystals diffracted X-rays to 2.8 Å resolution. The crystals belonged to the space group C2 with unit cell parameters a = 130.4 Å, b = 81.3 Å, c = 229.2 Å, β = 105.9°. The structure refinement is in progress.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a complex between lanthanum nitrate and a bicyclic polyether

Reaction between lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate and a macrobicyclic polyether in ethanol has yielded a product of overall stoichiometry 3:2. The ligand, 21R, 26S, 29R, 34S-21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31,32,33, 34-dodecahydro-1,4,7,14,17,20,28,35-octaoxa (2^3,29syn2^18,34syn) (7.7) orthocyclophane, L, provides 8 oxygen donor atoms. Crystals were obtained from MeOH/EtOH (50/50). Crystal structure determination on 9590 observations, R=0.059, has shown the triclinic unit cell, a = 26.562(6), b = 13.486(3), c = 12.154(3) Å, α=63.9(1), β = 100.0(1), γ = 102.0(1)° space group P , V = 3806 Å to contain, as the asymmetric unit, two complex cations (La(NO₃)₂L)⁺ and one complex anion (La- (NO₃)₅MeOH)²⁻. The lanthanum is 11-coordinated in the anion and one of the cations, in which there is one bidentate and one monodentate nitrate anion and 12-coordinated in the other cation. For the monodentate nitrate La---O = 2.448(9) Å, all other nitrate ions are bidentate (La---O = 2.594(9)−2.743(10) Å). Most La---O bonds are shorter in the 11 than in the 12-coordinated cation. There are large differences in La---O bond lengths according to the nature of the carbon atoms to which the oxygen is attached. The methanol molecule forms a hydrogen bond to one oxygen atom of the monodentate nitrate group.