Alternative conformation of the C-domain of the P140 protein from Mycoplasma genitalium

Crystal structures of the C-domain of P140 from M. genitalium adopt an alternative conformation to that recently found in the intact extracellular region of P140. The plasticity of the C-domain is related to the functioning of the mycoplasma adhesion complex.

X-ray structure analysis of a unique D-amino-acid oxidase from the thermophilic fungus Rasamsonia emersonii strain YA

The D-amino-acid oxidase from the thermophilic fungus R. emersonii strain YA (ReDAAO) has a high thermal stability and a unique broad substrate specificity. In this study, in order to understand the structural factors that contribute to its unique characteristics, ReDAAO was crystallized and its crystal structure was determined.

Structural and biochemical characterization of the class II fructose-1,6-bis­phosphatase from Francisella tularensis

The structure of the class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase from F. tularensis is presented together with kinetic data for the wild type and the active-site mutant Thr89Ser. The structure reveals a tetramer of four identical subunits with approximate 222 symmetry. The structure is related to the homologous structure from the related pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Chitoporin from Serratia marcescens: recombinant expression, purification and crystallization

Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen that can use chitin-enriched nutrients as an alternative energy source. We identified a chitoporin (ChiP), termed SmChiP, from the outer membrane of S. marcescens and report its crystallization without and with chitohexaose. Initial assessment of the complex structure revealed electron density for the sugar ligand.

Crystal structure of the GDP-bound GTPase domain of Rab5a from Leishmania donovani

L. donovani Rab5a (LdRab5a), a GTP-dependent molecular switch, regulates the fluid-phase endocytosis of essential nutrients. The crystal structure of the GTPase domain of LdRab5a has been determined in the GDP-bound form, which shows the canonical Rab fold but with a unique disposition of the Switch I region.

Structural characterization of a nonhydrolyzing UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A

Crystal structures of a bacterial nonhydrolyzing UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase with and without substrates are described. The structures, when compared with homologous enzymes, shed additional light on the mechanism and understanding of the non-allosteric nature of the enzyme.

Multi-crystal data collection using synchrotron radiation as exemplified with low-symmetry crystals of Dps

The successful structure determination of a triclinic form of Dps from Escherichia coli using multi-crystal data-collection techniques is described.