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Tm-1, an inhibitor protein of Tomato mosaic virus RNA replication, contains two conserved domains: an uncharacterized domain at its N-terminus and a TIM-barrel-like domain at its C-terminus. The N-terminal domain of Tm-1 has an inhibitory activity and its three-dimensional structure has not been determined. Here, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of the N-terminal domain of Tm-1 are reported. A three-wavelength MAD data set was collected from a selenomethionine-labelled crystal and processed to 2.7 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to the triclinic space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 77.97, b = 105.28, c = 110.62 Å, α = 94.6, β = 109.3, γ = 108.0°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the mammalian innate immune response, Toll-like receptors 3 and 4 can signal via the adaptor protein TRIF/TICAM-1 to elicit the production of type-I interferons and cytokines. Recent studies have suggested an auto-inhibitory role for the N-terminal domain (NTD) of TRIF. This domain has no significant sequence similarity to proteins of known structure. In this paper, the crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of TRIF-NTD and its selenomethionine-labelled mutant TRIF-NTDA66M/L113M are reported. Thin plate-like crystals of native TRIF-NTD obtained using polyethylene glycol 3350 as precipitant diffracted X-rays to 1.9 Å resolution. To facilitate phase determination, two additional methionines were incorporated into the protein at positions chosen based on the occurrence of methionines in TRIF homologues in different species. Crystals of the selenomethionine-labelled protein were obtained under conditions similar to the wild-type protein; these crystals diffracted X-rays to 2.5 Å resolution. The TRIF-NTD and TRIF-NTDA66M/L113M crystals have the symmetry of space groups P212121 and P1, and most likely contain two and four molecules in the asymmetric unit, respectively. These results provide a sound foundation for the future structure determination of this novel domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robo receptors participate in the orchestration of several developmental responses, most notably axonal guidance in the central nervous system. Robo1 contains five tandem Ig-like and three fibronectin type-III (FnIII) domains in its ectodomain, followed by a single-pass transmembrane segment and an intracellular region. A human Robo1 construct that includes the two extracellular membrane-proximal fibronectin (Fn) domains and the juxtamembrane linker was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Crystals were obtained using the vapour-diffusion method at 293 K and X-ray diffraction data were collected. Molecular-replacement attempts using related Fn domains as search models did not result in a solution. After introducing two additional methionine residues using PCR site-directed mutagenesis, selenomethionine-derivative crystals were produced. These crystals belonged to the primitive orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 27.24, b = 77.64, c = 91.91 Å. Assuming the presence of a monomer in the asymmetric unit gave a crystal volume per protein weight ( VM) of 1.97 Å3 Da−1 and a solvent content of 37.6%. Anisotropic diffraction data and a fragmented single-wavelength anomalous dispersion electron-density map, to which homology-modelled domains were docked, were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium species have developed numerous strategies to avoid the antimycobacterial actions of macrophages, enabling them to survive within the generally inhospitable environment of the cell. The recently identified MSMEG_5817 protein from M. smegmatis is highly conserved in Mycobacterium spp. and is required for bacterial survival in macrophages. Here, the cloning, expression, purification and crystallization of MSMEG_5817 is reported. Crystals of MSMEG_5817 were grown in 1.42 M Li2SO4, 0.1 M Tris-HCl pH 7.7, 0.1 M sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate. Native and multiple-wavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) data sets have been collected and structure determination is in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoHrip2, a novel effector protein from the pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, was purified and crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. Native crystals and selenomethionine-labelled crystals were obtained using 2.2 M ammonium sulfate as a precipitant. A native data set was collected to 2.0 Å resolution at 100 K using an in-house X-ray source and a selenomethionine-labelled data set containing anomalous signal was collected to 1.8 Å resolution at 100 K using a synchrotron source. Based on the anomalous signal generated from the Se atom, the MoHrip2 structure was successfully solved using the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FlhB is a key protein in the regulation of protein export by the bacterial flagellar secretion system. It is composed of two domains: an N-terminal transmembrane domain and a C-terminal cytoplasmic domain (FlhBc). FlhBc from Salmonella typhimurium has been successfully crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to 2.45 Å resolution and belonged to space group P42212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 49.06, c = 142.94 Å. A selenomethionine-containing variant of FlhBc has also been crystallized in the same space group and was used for initial phase calculation by the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External polysaccharide capsules provide a physical barrier that is employed by many species of bacteria for the purposes of host evasion and persistence. Wzi is a 53 kDa outer membrane β-barrel protein that is thought to play a role in the attachment of group 1 capsular polysaccharides to the cell surface. The purification and crystallization of an Escherichia coli homologue of Wzi is reported and diffraction data from native and selenomethionine-incorporated protein crystals are presented. Crystals of C-terminally His6-tagged Wzi diffracted to 2.8 Å resolution. Data processing showed that the crystals belonged to the orthorhombic space group C222, with unit-cell parameters a = 128.8, b = 152.8, c = 94.4 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. A His-tagged selenomethionine-containing variant of Wzi has also been crystallized in the same space group and diffraction data have been recorded to 3.8 Å resolution. Data processing shows that the variant crystal has similar unit-cell parameters to the native crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AgaB from Pseudoalteromonas sp. CY24 is a novel agarase that hydrolyzes agarose to generate products with inverted anomeric configuration and that has been proposed to have a larger catalytic cleft than other β-agarases. Here, the expression, purification, crystallization and data collection of AgaB in both wild-type and selenomethionine-substituted forms is described. The crystals of wild-type AgaB diffracted to 1.97 Å resolution and belonged to space group C2221. The selenomethionine derivative crystallized in space group I222. The phasing problem was solved by the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) method. These results will facilitate detailed structural and enzymatic analysis of AgaB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-regulated protein D (FrpD) is a Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane lipoprotein that may be involved in the anchoring of the secreted repeat in toxins (RTX) protein FrpC to the outer bacterial membrane. However, the function and biological roles of the FrpD and FrpC proteins remain unknown. Native and selenomethionine-substituted variants of recombinant FrpD43-271 protein were crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. Diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 2.25 Å for native FrpD43-271 protein and to a resolution of 2.00 Å for selenomethionine-substituted FrpD43-271 (SeMet FrpD43-271) protein. The crystals of native FrpD43-271 protein belonged to the hexagonal space group P62 or P64, while the crystals of SeMet FrpD43-271 protein belonged to the primitive orthorhombic space group P212121. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FILIA is a component of the subcortical maternal complex that is essential for early stage embryogenesis. Its 6×His-tagged N-terminal domain was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Two types of crystals formed under different crystallization conditions during screening. Orthorhombic crystals appeared in a solution containing 1.4 M ammonium sulfate, 0.1 M Tris pH 8.2 and 12% glycerol, while tetragonal crystals were obtained using 15% PEG 4000 mixed with 0.1 M HEPES pH 7.5 and 15% 2-propanol. High-quality diffraction data were collected from the two crystal forms to resolutions of 1.8 and 2.2 Å, respectively, using synchrotron radiation. The Matthews coefficients indicated that the P212121 and P41212 crystals contained two molecules and one molecule per asymmetric unit, respectively. A selenomethionine-substituted sample failed to crystallize under the native conditions, but another orthorhombic crystal form was obtained under different conditions and anomalous diffraction data were collected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GTPases of immunity-associated proteins (GIMAPs) are important regulators of T-cell death and survival. Here, the crystallization and data collection of three GIMAP2 constructs in various nucleotide-loaded states is described. Selenomethionine-substituted carboxy-terminally truncated GIMAP2 (amino-acid residues 1-260; GIMAP21-260) in the nucleotide-free form crystallized in space group P212121 and the crystals diffracted X-rays to 1.5 Å resolution. The phase problem was solved using the single anomalous dispersion (SAD) protocol. GDP-bound GIMAP221-260 and GDP-bound GIMAP21-234 crystallized in space group P212121 and the crystals diffracted X-rays to 2.9 and 1.7 Å resolution, respectively. GTP-bound GIMAP21-234 crystallized in space group C2221 and the crystals diffracted to 1.9 Å resolution. These results will allow a detailed structural analysis of GIMAP2, which will provide insight into the architecture and function of the GIMAP family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flavin-dependent monooxygenase TetX2 from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron confers resistance against tetracyclines in aerobically grown Escherichia coli. TetX2 modifies several tetracycline antibiotics by regioselective hydroxylation of the substrates to 11a-hydroxy-tetracyclines. X-ray diffraction data were collected from a native TetX2 crystal and a TetX2 crystal with incorporated selenomethionine to resolutions of 2.5 and 3.0 Å, respectively. The native crystal belonged to the triclinic space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 68.55, b = 80.88, c = 87.53 Å, α = 111.09, β = 98.98, γ = 93.38°, whereas the selenomethionine-labelled TetX2 crystal belonged to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 87.34, b = 68.66, c = 152.48 Å, β = 101.08°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RspB is a surface adhesin of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. A recombinant form of the collagen-binding region of this protein, RspB(31-348), has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli in native and selenomethionine-derivative forms and purified using affinity and gel-permeation chromatography. Thin plate-like crystals were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using the same condition for both forms. The native crystals diffracted to a resolution of 2.5 Å using an in-house X-ray source, while the selenomethionine-derivative crystals diffracted to a resolution of 2.2 Å using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belonged to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 46.19, b = 66.65, c = 101.72 Å, β = 94.11°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) has a nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA genome which is encapsidated by the HRSV nucleocapsid protein (HRSVN) that is essential for viral replication. HRSV is a common cause of respiratory infection in infants, yet no effective antiviral drugs to combat it are available. Recent data from an experimental anti-HRSV compound, RSV-604, indicate that HRSVN could be the target site for drug action. Here, the expression, purification and preliminary data collection of decameric HRSVN as well as monomeric N-terminally truncated HRSVN mutants are reported. Two different crystal forms of full-length selenomethionine-labelled HRSVN were obtained that diffracted to 3.6 and ∼5 Å resolution and belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 133.6, b = 149.9, c = 255.1 Å, and space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 175.1, b = 162.6, c = 242.8 Å, β = 90.1°, respectively. For unlabelled HRSVN, only crystals belonging to space group P21 were obtained that diffracted to 3.6 Å. A self-rotation function using data from the orthorhombic crystal form confirmed the presence of tenfold noncrystallographic symmetry, which is in agreement with a reported electron-microscopic reconstruction of HRSVN. Monomeric HRSVN generated by N-terminal truncation was designed to assist in structure determination by reducing the size of the asymmetric unit. Whilst such HRSVN mutants were monomeric in solution and crystallized in a different space group, the size of the asymmetric unit was not reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pneumoniae contains a large number of sugar-transport systems and the system responsible for raffinose uptake has recently been identified. The substrate-binding protein component of this system shares strong sequence homology with the multiple sugar metabolism substrate-binding protein MsmE from S. mutans and contains a lipoprotein-attachment site at cysteine residue 23. A truncated form (residues 24-419) of RafE from S. pneumoniae was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Native and selenomethionine-labelled protein have been crystallized in the hexagonal space group P6122. Diffraction data have been successfully phased to 2.90 Å using Se SAD data and model building is in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AafA is the major adhesive pilin subunit of the aggregative adherence fimbriae (AAF) from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, which play an important role by attaching to the host cells during the initial phase of bacterial colonization and invasion. AafA has been crystallized at pH 3.4 and diffraction data have been collected to 2.1 Å resolution. Molecular replacement was unsuccessful and selenomethionine-substituted protein and heavy-atom derivatives are being prepared for phasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyridoxal 4-dehydrogenase from Mesorhizobium loti MAFF303099 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant selenomethionine-substituted enzyme was purified and crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 4000 as precipitant. Crystals grew in the presence of 0.45 m M NAD+. The crystals diffracted to 2.9 Å resolution and belonged to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 86.20, b = 51.11, c = 91.73 Å, β = 89.36°. The calculated VM values suggested that the asymmetric unit contained four molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azoreductases from Bacillus sp. B29 are NADH-dependent flavoenzymes which contain a flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as a prosthetic group and exist as homodimers composed of 23 kDa subunits. These enzymes catalyze the reductive degradation of various azo compounds by a ping-pong mechanism. In order to determine the structure-function relationship of the azo-dye reduction mechanism, an X-ray crystallographic study of azoreductases was performed. Selenomethionine-labelled AzrA (SeMet-AzrA) and AzrC were crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. A crystal of SeMet-AzrA diffracted to 2.0 Å resolution and was determined to belong to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 56.9, b = 69.0, c = 105.4 Å. The native crystals of AzrC belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 192.0, b = 56.6, c = 105.5 Å, β = 115.7°, and diffracted to 2.21 Å resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VSP1 is a defence protein in Arabidopsis thaliana that may also be involved in control of plant development. The recombinant protein has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystal diffracted to 1.9 Å resolution and a complete X-ray data set was collected at 100 K using Cu Kα radiation from a rotating-anode X-ray source. The crystals belonged to space group C2. As there are no related structures that could be used as a search model for molecular replacement, work is in progress on experimental phasing using heavy-atom derivatives and selenomethionine derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins containing PilZ domains are widespread in Gram-negative bacteria and have recently been shown to be involved in the control of biofilm formation, adherence, aggregation, virulence-factor production and motility. Furthermore, some PilZ domains have recently been shown to bind the second messenger bis(3′→5′)cyclic diGMP. Here, the cloning, expression, purification and crystallization of PilZXAC1133, a protein consisting of a single PilZ domain from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, is reported. The closest PilZXAC1133 homologues in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria meningitidis control type IV pilus function. Recombinant PilZXAC1133 containing selenomethionine was crystallized in space group P61. The unit-cell parameters were a = 62.125, b = 62.125, c = 83.543 Å. These crystals diffracted to 1.85 Å resolution and a MAD data set was collected at a synchrotron source. The calculated Matthews coefficient suggested the presence of two PilZXAC1133 molecules in the asymmetric unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LipL32 is a major surface protein that is expressed during infection by pathogenic Leptospira. Here, the crystallization of recombinant LipL3221-272, which corresponds to the mature LipL32 protein minus its N-terminal lipid-anchored cysteine residue, is described. Selenomethionine-labelled LipL3221-272 crystals diffracted to 2.25 Å resolution at a synchrotron source. The space group was P3121 or P3221 and the unit-cell parameters were a = b = 126.7, c = 96.0 Å. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ebola VP35 is a multifunctional protein that is important for host immune suppression and pathogenesis. VP35 contains an N-terminal oligomerization domain and a C-terminal interferon inhibitory domain (IID). Mutations within the VP35 IID result in loss of host immune suppression. Here, efforts to crystallize recombinantly overexpressed VP35 IID that was purified from Escherichia coli are described. Native and selenomethionine-labeled crystals belonging to the orthorhombic space group P212121 were obtained by the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method and diffraction data were collected at the ALS synchrotron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β1,2-rhamnosyltransferase WsaF is involved in the biosynthesis of a polyrhamnan chain which is attached to the surface-layer protein from Geobacillus stearothermophilus NRS 2004/3a. The enzyme belongs to the large retaining GT4 family. To date, no structure of a rhamnosyltransferase has been published. Recombinant purified native WsaF has been crystallized, resulting in crystals that belonged to space group P212121 with unit-cell parameters a = 50.5, b = 56.1, c = 276.8 Å and diffracted to 3.0 Å resolution. Selenomethionine-variant WsaF crystallized in space group P21 with unit-cell parameters a = 75.9, b = 75.5, c = 78.1 Å and diffracted to 2.3 Å resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atg16 is a scaffold protein that interacts with Atg12-Atg5 protein conjugates via its N-terminal domain and self-assembles via its coiled-coil domain, thus forming a multimeric Atg12-Atg5-Atg16 complex that is essential for autophagy. The coiled-coil domain of Atg16 was expressed, purified and crystallized. The crystal belonged to space group P41212 or P43212, with unit-cell parameters a = 127.7, c = 77.8 Å. Self-rotation functions and volume-to-weight ratio values suggested that the crystal may contain six molecules per asymmetric unit. Since the domain does not contain a methionine residue, selenomethionine-labelled crystals were prepared with a leucine-to-methionine substitution in the coiled-coil domain and these crystals were used for the collection of single-wavelength anomalous dispersion data to 2.5 Å resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]