Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a eumenine mastoparan toxin: a new class of mast-cell degranulating peptide in the wasp venom

Mastoparans are tetradecapeptides found to be the major component of vespid venoms. A mastoparan toxin isolated from the venom of Anterhynchium flavomarginatum micado has been crystallized and X-­ray diffraction data collected to 2.7 Å resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source. Crystals were determined to belong to the space group P6₂22 (P6₄22). This is the first mastoparan to be crystallized and will provide further insights into the conformational significance of mastoparan toxins with respect to their potency and activity in G-protein regulation.