TY - JOUR
T1 - An improved strategy for the crystallization of Leishmania mexicana pyruvate kinase
AU - Morgan, Hugh P.
AU - McNae, Iain W.
AU - Hsin, Kun-Yi
AU - Michels, Paul A. M.
AU - Fothergill-Gilmore, Linda A.
AU - Walkinshaw, Malcolm D.
PY - 2010/3
Y1 - 2010/3
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1107/S1744309109053494
DO - 10.1107/S1744309109053494
M3 - Article
SN - 1744-3091
VL - 66
SP - 215
EP - 218
JO - Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications
JF - Acta Crystallographica Section F Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications
ER -