issue contents
March 2016 issue
research communications
The structure of human growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) determined to a resolution of 1.50 Å reveals subtle conformational differences when compared with the previously determined structure of human myostatin (GDF8) while maintaining a highly similar quaternary architecture.
PDB reference: human GDF11, 5e4g
This is the first report of the crystal structure of a plant serine racemase.
PDB reference: maize serine racemase, complex with PLP, 5cvc
A putative exopolyphosphatase (PPX) from Z. mobilis (ZmPPX) was expressed, purified and crystallized. PPX enzymes regulate intracellular inorganic polyphosphate levels in microbial cells in response to external stresses. N-terminal truncation of ZmPPX based on primary-sequence analysis resulted in an improvement in diffraction from 3.3 to 1.8 Å resolution.
The crystal structure of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, a component of the shikimate pathway, was determined during its evaluation as a target for new antimicrobials effective against multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pan-drug-resistant A. baumannii. This enzyme is essential for the growth and survival of this clinically important pathogen during host infection.
PDB reference: EPSP synthase from A. baumannii, 5buf
Open access
Molecular replacement and noncrystallographic symmetry averaging were used to detwin a data set affected by perfect hemihedral twinning. The noncrystallographic symmetry averaging of the electron-density map corrected errors in the detwinning introduced by the differences between the molecular-replacement model and the crystallized structure.
PDB reference: Aichi virus 1, 5aoo
The crystal structure of an N-terminally truncated form of leucine zipper II (LZII) of JIP3 alone shows an unexpected antiparallel arrangement. This study draws attention to the fact that LZII of JIP3/JIP4 is a versatile structural motif, modifications of which can impact partner recognition and thus biological functions.
PDB reference: LZII fragment from JIP3, 4pxj
Open access
Recombinant C1ORF123 protein from H. sapiens was overexpressed, purified to homogeneity and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected for X-ray crystallographic analysis.
The crystal structure of the FhuD protein from S. pseudintermedius was determined at 1.6 Å resolution. The structure displays a canonical class III solute-binding protein fold in a closed conformation, revealing a ligand-binding site suitable for the accommodation of siderophore ligands, here occupied by a polyethylene glycol molecule.
PDB reference: FhuD from Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, 5fly
The crystallization of perdeuterated P. aeruginosa peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase 1 and initial neutron diffraction data collection are reported.
Structures of thymidine phosphorylase from S. typhimurium were determined in the unliganded state and in complexes with thymidine and uridine. The structural origins of the substrate specificity were found.
The purification, crystallization and initial X-ray crystallographic studies of the N-terminal and M domains of the α-catenin homologue HMP-1 from C. elegans are described.
Open access
The cloning, expression, purification and crystallization of the CH domain of the plant-specific kinesin GhKCH2 is reported.
The crystal structure of MtaL shows that conformational changes are needed for binding to mushroom tyrosinase and reveals a putative carbohydrate-binding site that may be associated with glycoreceptor activity.
PDB reference: MtaL, 5eha
addenda and errata
Open access
An addendum is published to Tanley et al. [(2014), Acta Cryst. F70, 1135–1142].
PDB reference: re-refinement of 4xan, 5hmj
Open access
An addendum is published to Tanley et al. [(2012), Acta Cryst. F68, 1300–1306].
PDB reference: re-refinement of 4g4a, 5hll
Free
The article by Wilson & DeLucas [(2014). Acta Cryst. F70, 543–554] is corrected.