An improved strategy for the crystallization of Leishmania mexicana pyruvate kinase

Hugh P. Morgan, Iain W. McNae, Kun-Yi Hsin, Paul A. M. Michels, Linda A. Fothergill-Gilmore, Malcolm D. Walkinshaw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The inclusion of novel small molecules in crystallization experiments has provided very encouraging results and this method is now emerging as a promising alternative strategy for crystallizing 'problematic' biological macromolecules. These small molecules have the ability to promote lattice formation through stabilizing intermolecular interactions in protein crystals. Here, the use of 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid (PTS), which provides a helpful intermolecular bridge between Leishmania mexicana PYK (LmPYK) macromolecules in the crystal, is reported, resulting in the rapid formation of a more stable crystal lattice at neutral pH and greatly improved X-ray diffraction results. The refined structure of the LmPYK-PTS complex revealed the negatively charged PTS molecule to be stacked between positively charged (surface-exposed) arginine side chains from neighbouring LmPYK molecules in the crystal lattice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)215-218
Number of pages4
JournalActa Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications
Volume66
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2010

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