Protein stability: a crystallographer's perspective

An understanding of protein stability is essential for optimizing the expression, purification and crystallization of proteins. In this review, discussion will focus on factors affecting protein stability on a somewhat practical level, particularly from the view of a protein crystallographer.

The role of mass transport in protein crystallization

This article reviews the role of mass transport in protein-crystallization experiments.

Crystal structure of the flavoenzyme PA4991 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

PA4991 is a FAD-dependent oxidoreductase from the pathogen P. aeruginosa that is essential for virulence and survival in the infected host. The structure of this enzyme, determined to 2.4 Å resolution, reveals that PA4991 belongs to the GR₂ family of flavoenzymes.

Structural and functional analysis of the RNA helicase Prp43 from the thermophilic eukaryote Chaetomium thermophilum

RNA helicases are essential key players in numerous cellular processes. Here, the crystal structure of the spliceosomal DEAH-box helicase Prp43 from C. thermophilum is reported and revealed to be capable of functionally replacing its yeast orthologue in spliceosomal disassembly assays.

Structure of the human histone chaperone FACT Spt16 N-terminal domain

The Spt16–SSRP1 heterodimer is a histone chaperone that plays an important role in regulating chromatin assembly. Here, a crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of human Spt16 is presented and it is shown that this domain may contribute to histone binding.

Crystal structure of microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 catalytic domain in complex with a pyrazolo­pyrimidine inhibitor

The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of MARK4 was determined and compared with those of other proteins belonging to the MARK/PAR-1 protein kinase family.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and initial crystallographic analysis of FleN from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

FleN from P. aeruginosa has been cloned, purified and crystallized.

Crystallographic observation of the movement of the membrane-distal domain of the T7SS core component EccB1 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The crystal structures of two conformations of M. tuberculosis EccB1 (states III and IV) are reported and are compared with two previously reported conformations (states I and II) in order to better understand the structure–function relationship of EccB1.

Crystallization and X-ray diffraction of LGN in complex with the actin-binding protein afadin

A chimeric fusion protein between the spindle-orientation protein LGN and the F-actin-binding protein afadin was generated and crystallized. The crystals belonged to space group P2₁3 and diffracted to 3.0 Å resolution.

Improving diffraction resolution using a new dehydration method

A new dehydration method to improve the diffraction resolution of protein crystals is reported.