Packing and loop-structure variations in non-isomorphous crystals of FabZ from Plasmodium falciparum

Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2007 Apr;63(Pt 4):458-64. doi: 10.1107/S0907444907003228. Epub 2007 Mar 16.

Abstract

The crystals obtained from various batches of crystallization trials of FabZ from Plasmodium falciparum exhibited non-isomorphism. The c axis of the I222 cell showed a large variation of about 16 A, from c = 81 A to c = 97 A. Complete data sets were collected for three crystal forms with varying lengths of the c axis (form 1, c = 97 A; form 2, c = 92 A; form 3, c = 81 A). The crystal structure of form 1 has been reported previously. Here, the crystal structures of the other two crystal forms are reported and a detailed structural comparison is made of the three crystal forms in order to explore the possible reasons for the existence of non-isomorphism. The conformations of three loops vary between the three crystal forms. The disposition of the loops affects the crystal packing and hence the unit-cell parameter. The crystallization condition and crystallization method employed, which change the evaporation rate, determine the crystal form of the enzyme. The present analysis shows that pH-induced intrinsic conformational changes in the protein play a key role in the observed differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dimerization
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
  • Plasmodium falciparum / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protozoan Proteins / chemistry*
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins