Crystallization of and preliminary X-ray data for bovine carbonic anhydrase III

Crystals of bovine carbonic anhydrase III have been grown in a solution of polyethylene glycol. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2(1), with the unit cell parameters a = 50.6 A, b = 44.7 A, c = 56.9 A, and beta = 90.3 degrees. The asymmetric unit contains 1 molecule. The diffraction pattern extends beyond 2.0-A resolution.     

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data of the bacteriophage MS2

Single crystals of the bacteriophage MS2 have been produced by the vapour diffusion technique in the presence of 1.5% polyethylene glycol 6000 and 0.2 M-sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). These are the first bacteriovirus crystals diffracting to high resolution. The crystal space group is C2 with the unit cell parameters a = 467.9 A, b = 289.5 A, c = 275.6 A and beta = 121.8 degrees. The asymmetric unit contains one half of the virion. The maximum resolution limit of the X-ray diffraction data obtained from these crystals was 2.9 A. The purification of the virus material was done by mild procedures exclusively and involved precipitation with polyethylene glycol 6000 and size exclusion chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray study of a double-shelled spherical virus, rice dwarf virus

Rice dwarf virus (RDV) is a double-shelled spherical plant virus consisting of 46,000 Mr capsid and 114,000 Mr core proteins and minor structural proteins, and containing 12 genome segments of double-stranded RNA. The virus has been crystallized in the cubic space group I23 with a = 789 A. There are two particles per unit cell, each positioned on a point of 23 symmetry. Packing considerations showed that the diameter of the virus particle is 693 A. The crystals diffract to at least 6.5 A resolution.     

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of San Miguel sea lion virus: an animal calicivirus

The Caliciviridae is a family of nonenveloped, icosahedral, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. This family of viruses consists of both animal and human pathogens. Adapting human caliciviruses to cell culture has not been successful, whereas some animal caliciviruses, including San Miguel sea lion virus, have been successfully propagated in vitro. Here we report the crystallization of San Miguel sea lion virus serotype 4 (SMSV4) and the preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the crystals. SMSV4 have been crystallized using the hanging-drop method. These crystals diffracted to approximately 3A resolution using a synchrotron radiation source. A single crystal under cryo-conditions yielded a complete set of diffraction data. Data processing of the diffraction patterns showed that SMSV crystals belong to I23 space group with cell dimensions a=b=c=457 A. The crystallographic asymmetric unit includes five icosahedral asymmetric units, each consisting of three capsid protein subunits. In the space group I23, given the icosahedral symmetry and the size of the virus particle, the location of the particle is constrained to be at the point where the crystallographic 2- and 3-fold axes intersect. The orientation of the virus particle in the unit cell was ascertained by self-rotation function calculations.     

Crystallization and molecular symmetry of ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a

Ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a is representative of the large subunit (80 kDa), oligomeric, pyridoxal phosphate-dependent amino-acid decarboxylases. Yellow crystals of ornithine decarboxylase are obtained from polyethylene glycol solutions and belong to space group P6 with unit cell constants a = b = 194.9 and c = 97.44 A, alpha = beta = 90 degrees and gamma = 120 degrees, V = 3.21 x 10(6) A3. Still photographs show reflections at better than 2.4-A resolution. Electron micrographs reported by Guirard and Snell (Guirard, B.M., and Snell, E.E. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 5960-5964) reveal that the ornithine decarboxylase dodecamer is a hexagonally shaped particle with a point-to-point distance of approximately 210 A and a thickness of approximately 70 A. The crystallographic unit cell can thus accommodate one 10(6)-Da dodecamer (Vm = 3.2 A3/Da), implying that a dimer occupies an asymmetric unit. Tanaka rotation function analysis, using native data (5-7 A) collected from three crystals, reveals that the particle has the expected 622 molecular symmetry with molecular 2-fold axes lying at 20 degrees and 50 degrees from a in the a-b plane. A search for suitable heavy atom derivatives is underway.     

Crystallization of the Fv fragment of mouse myeloma protein M315.

The Fv fragment of mouse myeloma protein M313 was crystallized from poly(ethylene glycol) solution in the form of monoclinic crystals, space group C2 and unit cell dimensions a = 5.96 nm (59.6 A), b = 5.66 nm (56.6 A), c = 13.79 nm (13.9 A) and beta = 99.7 degrees. Some unusual effects of poly(ethylene glycol)on protein crystals were noted and are discussed.     

Crystallization and preliminary x-ray crystallographic study of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase from pig liver microsomes

Crystals of the hydrophilic, catalytic domain (30 kDa) of pig liver NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase solubilized by the protease (cathepsin D) have been grown in a solution of polyethylene glycol by the vapor-diffusion procedure. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit-cell dimensions of a = 87.1, b = 73.2, and c = 49.0 A. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule of the enzyme. The x-ray diffraction patterns extend to 2.0-A resolution. On the other hand, the intact enzyme (35 kDa) containing the hydrophobic membrane-binding domain solubilized by the detergent (Triton N-101) has been crystallized also from the polyethylene glycol solution. The crystals are needle-shaped and still too small for x-ray diffraction study.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray investigation of acid protease from Cladosporium

Crystals of Cladosporium acid protease have been grown from solutions of polyethylene glycol. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group, P212121, with alpha = 136.5(7) A, b = 109.4(5) A, and c = 87.7(4) A. There are four acid protease molecules/asymmetric unit. The crystals are quite stable to x-rays and diffract beyond 3.0-A resolution.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a 40 kDa calcium binding protein specifically expressed in plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum.

A calcium binding protein with a molecular mass of 40 kDa (CBP40), the gene product of plasmodial-specific LAV1-2 of Physarum polycephalum, was crystallized in the presence of EDTA. The crystals diffracted X-rays up to a resolution of 3.0 A. They belonged to the trigonal space group, P3221 (or P3121), with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 64.4 A and c = 207.2 A. Ca2+-bound crystals were obtained by soaking in a CaCl2 solution, which gave diffraction data of similar quality. The Ca2+-soaked crystals belonged to the same space group as those crystallized in the presence of EDTA with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 64.4 A and c = 209.4 A.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of tobacco necrosis virus

Tobacco necrosis virus is a spherical plant virus consisting of 180 copies of coat protein and a single-stranded RNA. The virus has been crystallized in cubic space group P4(2)32 with a = 338 A. The locations and the orientations of the two virus particles in the unit cell have been determined on the basis of the symmetries of both the particle and the crystal. The crystal diffracts X-rays to at least 2.5 A resolution and is quite stable to X-ray beams (1 A = 0.1 nm).     

Heterodimeric complex of RAR and RXR nuclear receptor ligand-binding domains: purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis

Both the human retinoic acid receptor alpha (hRARalpha) and a constitutively active mutant (F318A) of the mouse retinoid X receptor alpha (mRXR alpha F318A) ligand-binding domains were separately overexpressed in Escherichia coli, copurified as a heterodimer in a two-step procedure, and cocrystallized with an RAR alpha-specific antagonist by using polyethylene glycol 10,000 as precipitant. The crystals grew in the hexagonal space group P6(1)22 displaying the unit cell parameters a = b = 116.6 A and c = 207.8 A. They diffracted X-ray to a limit of 2.2-A resolution. The asymmetric unit comprises one heterodimer and the crystal contains 60% solvent. The structure was determined by molecular replacement and is currently being refined.     

Crystallization of the Bacillus subtilis histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein HPr and of some of its site-directed mutants

The histidine-containing phosphocarrier protein (HPr) from Bacillus subtilis has been crystallized. Two of the site-directed mutants aimed at probing function produce crystals suitable for X-ray studies. The mutant in which His15 is substituted by an alanyl residue crystallizes from ammonium sulfate solution in space group P3(1)21 or P3(2)21, with unit cell dimensions: a = b = 47.3 A; c = 61.5 A. These crystals diffract to at least 1.8 A resolution. The mutant in which Ser46 is substituted by an aspartyl residue crystallizes from polyethylene glycol 4000 solution in space group P2(1), with unit cell dimensions: a = 49.4 A; b = 25.6 A; c = 60.3 A; beta = 109 degrees. These crystals diffract to at least 2.0 A resolution.     

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of pig kidney fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase

Preliminary x-ray data have been obtained from large single crystals of pig kidney fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, grown from polyethylene glycol. The crystals have the symmetry of space group P3(1)21 or its enantiomorph P3(2)21, contain two subunits of the 146,000-dalton tetramer/asymmetric unit, and diffract to 2.9-A resolution on still photographs. The unit cell dimensions are a = b = 132.5 A and c = 68.0 A. Small single crystals have been grown in the presence of the inhibitor fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, with and without the allosteric effector AMP added. Crystals grown in the presence of both ligands are isomorphous with native crystals and generate diffraction patterns that show significant intensity changes.     

Crystallization and preliminary x-ray diffraction study of cholera toxin B-subunit

Cholera toxin binds to its ganglioside GM1 receptor via its B-subunit, a pentameric assembly of identical subunits (Mr = 11,600). Diffraction quality crystals of cholera toxin B-subunit have been obtained at room temperature by vapor diffusion with polyethylene glycol in the presence of the nonionic detergent beta-octyl glucoside. The crystals have been characterized with x-radiation as monoclinic, space group P21, with unit cell dimensions a = 39.0 A, b = 94.3 A, c = 67.5 A, beta = 96.0 degrees. There are two molecules per unit cell, with one molecule (Mr = 58,000) in each asymmetric unit. Precession photographs (micron = 13 degrees) show that crystals diffract beyond 3.3-A resolution and are stable in the x-ray beam at room temperature for at least 40 h; thus, they can be used to collect three-dimensional crystallographic data.     

Crystallization and preliminary diffraction data of Escherichia coli ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase

ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase from Escherichia coli has been crystallized from polyethylene glycol 8000 solutions. The crystals are: orthorhombic, a = 155(2), b = 153(2), c = 174(2) A, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), four tetrameric molecules/unit cell. This gives a solvent fraction of about 75% consistent with the relatively poor diffraction quality of crystals (5.0-A resolution) and their sensitivity to x-ray exposure damage. Ways of circumventing the former and improving the latter are proposed.     

Purification, crystallization, and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the Tricorn protease hexamer from Thermoplasma acidophilum

Tricorn protease from Thermoplasma acidophilum is a hexameric enzyme; in vivo the hexamers assemble further to form large icosahedral capsids of 14.6 MDa. Recombinant Tricorn protease was purified as an enzymatically active hexamer of 0.72 MDa that formed crystals of octahedral morphology under low-ionic-strength conditions. These crystals belong to space group C2 with unit cell dimensions a = 307.5 A, b = 163.2 A, c = 220.9 A, beta = 105.5 degrees and diffract to 2.2-A resolution using high-brilliance synchrotron radiation. Based on analysis of the self-rotation function and the presence of a pseudo-origin peak in the native Patterson map, a packing model was derived for the complex, comprising 1.5 hexamers per asymmetric unit with a solvent content of 43%. Due to the ninefold noncrystallographic symmetry the Tricorn crystals represent an interesting case for phasing X-ray crystallographic data by electron microscopic phase information.     

Crystallization and preliminary x-ray characterization of bovine growth hormone. Purification of bovine prolactin and growth hormone

A new purification scheme for both prolactin and growth hormone from bovine pituitaries has been developed which avoids the use of potentially damaging solution conditions. Both hormones were greater than 95% pure as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and had specific activities similar to or greater than standard samples of the same hormone as judged by several bioassays. Small single crystals of bovine growth hormone were obtained by vapor diffusion techniques. Examination of these crystals by x-ray diffraction, using the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, showed that they were well ordered, and exhibited diffraction to 2.8-A resolution on still photographs. Precession and oscillation photographs showed that they belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (or P2(1)2(1)2) with unit cell dimensions a = 219 A, b = 51.9 A, c = 68.9 A. The density of the crystals was 1.19 +/- 0.02 g/ml from which the presence of eight 45,000-dalton dimers/unit cell was deduced. The protein content of the crystals was shown by isoelectric focusing to be identical to that of purified growth hormone in solution. These crystals appear suitable for use in the x-ray structure determination of bovine growth hormone to at least 3.2-A resolution.     

Crystallization of bacteriophage MS2.

Crystals of bacteriophage MS2 have been obtained by slowly cooling a 1% virus solution from 23 degrees C to 0 degrees C in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) 6000. The crystals were colorless, needle-like, anisotropic and very fragile. Electron microscopic observation of the crystals revealed a two-dimensional lattice of particles with RNA phage morphology and dimensions. Preliminary X-ray examination of the crystals confirmed their viral nature.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray data for the exocellular beta-lactamase of Bacillus licheniformis 749/C

The exocellular beta-lactamase from Bacillus licheniformis 749/C has been crystallized from polyethylene glycol solution at pH 5.5. An X-ray examination of the monoclinic crystals shows the space group is P21, with unit cell dimensions a = 66.77 A, b = 93.77 A, c = 43.57 A and beta = 104.5 degrees. The asymmetric unit consists of two molecules of 28,500 Mr each. The crystals are suitable for structure analysis to at least 2 A resolution.     

Human recombinant factor XIII from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Crystallization and preliminary x-ray data

Crystals of human recombinant factor XIII from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been grown from solutions of ammonium sulfate at pH 5.8. The crystals are orthorhombic, with space group P2(1)2(1)2 and unit cell dimensions gamma a = 101.2, b = 182.7, and c = 93.4 A. The asymmetric unit consists of one a2 dimer of molecular mass 166 kDa. A 3.5-A resolution data set for the native protein has been collected. Practical resolution limits for these crystals have not been determined, but reflections have been observed to a Bragg spacing of 2.8-A resolution.