Re: [ccp4bb] Problem with crystallization of Se-Met labeled protein

2008-05-28 Thread Andrew Gulick
Consider also the possibility that your SeMet protein differs from the
native protein by something other than the sulfur -- selenium. Growing your
cells in different conditions may induce different host proteins that could
modify your protein.  (Often we use rich media for native protein production
and minimal media of some flavor for SeMet)

We had an example of this, (EJ Drake, Chem Biol, 13, 409) where growing the
cells in minimal media (low iron, being the relevant factor) induced a host
siderophore biosynthetic pathway that post-translationally added a cofactor
to our recombinant protein. We only figured out why we couldn't crystallize
the SeMet protein after we finally solved the structure (by a low homology
molecular replacement) and saw that the site of cofactor addition was buried
against a symmetry related molecule. Adding the 350Da cofactor at this
position likely prevented the SeMet crystals from growing.

Bottom line, if there is any chance of a post-translational modification,
make sure your growth conditions are as similar to native protein expression
as possible. A methionine auxotroph may be preferred over metabolic
inhibition in this case.

Andy



On 5/27/08 5:11 PM, Joe Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Dear all,
 Sorry for an off-topic query.
 I have been unable to crystallize a Se-met containing protein (8 Met
 in 206 amino acids) in the native crystallization condition ( 0.1 M
 Tris pH 8.5, 1.2 M K-Na-tartrate; Theoretical pI of protein is 8.4).
 As expected, solubility of Se-Met containing protein is little less
 than the wild type. Other than seeding, i don't know what else I
 should try for obtaining a Se-met crystal for phasing. Can I mutate
 some of the exposed Met  (based on secondary structure prediction and
 homologous structure) to Ala as I feel I don't really need 8 Se for
 phasing 208 aa long polypeptide. I want to know what generally one
 should do when Se-Met containing proteins fail to crystallize.
 Thanks in advance.
 Joe
 PS: Since, protein contains 3 Cys residues.. I am also planning to try
 my luck with heavy atom compounds containing Hg.

-- 
Andrew M. Gulick, Ph.D.
---
(716) 898-8619
Hauptman-Woodward Institute
700 Ellicott St
Buffalo, NY 14203
---
Senior Research Scientist
Hauptman-Woodward Institute
Dept. of Structural Biology, SUNY at Buffalo

http://www.hwi.buffalo.edu/Faculty/Gulick/Gulick.html
http://labs.hwi.buffalo.edu/gulick


[ccp4bb] Problem with crystallization of Se-Met labeled protein

2008-05-27 Thread Joe Smith
Dear all,
Sorry for an off-topic query.
I have been unable to crystallize a Se-met containing protein (8 Met
in 206 amino acids) in the native crystallization condition ( 0.1 M
Tris pH 8.5, 1.2 M K-Na-tartrate; Theoretical pI of protein is 8.4).
As expected, solubility of Se-Met containing protein is little less
than the wild type. Other than seeding, i don't know what else I
should try for obtaining a Se-met crystal for phasing. Can I mutate
some of the exposed Met  (based on secondary structure prediction and
homologous structure) to Ala as I feel I don't really need 8 Se for
phasing 208 aa long polypeptide. I want to know what generally one
should do when Se-Met containing proteins fail to crystallize.
Thanks in advance.
Joe
PS: Since, protein contains 3 Cys residues.. I am also planning to try
my luck with heavy atom compounds containing Hg.


Re: [ccp4bb] Problem with crystallization of Se-Met labeled protein

2008-05-27 Thread Jim Pflugrath
Have you thought about phasing off the sulfurs?  This is quite a common 
technique nowadays.


Jim

On Tue, 27 May 2008, Joe Smith wrote:


Dear all,
Sorry for an off-topic query.
I have been unable to crystallize a Se-met containing protein (8 Met
in 206 amino acids) in the native crystallization condition ( 0.1 M
Tris pH 8.5, 1.2 M K-Na-tartrate; Theoretical pI of protein is 8.4).
As expected, solubility of Se-Met containing protein is little less
than the wild type. Other than seeding, i don't know what else I
should try for obtaining a Se-met crystal for phasing. Can I mutate
some of the exposed Met  (based on secondary structure prediction and
homologous structure) to Ala as I feel I don't really need 8 Se for
phasing 208 aa long polypeptide. I want to know what generally one
should do when Se-Met containing proteins fail to crystallize.
Thanks in advance.
Joe
PS: Since, protein contains 3 Cys residues.. I am also planning to try
my luck with heavy atom compounds containing Hg.



Re: [ccp4bb] Problem with crystallization of Se-Met labeled protein

2008-05-27 Thread Artem Evdokimov
Hi,

Unless you've already tried exhaustively - why not to try MIR, as you
mentioned - there are many derivatives out there to be tried and with a
small protein the chances are pretty good. All you need is one good
derivative :)

This certainly sounds easier than mutating exposed Met!

Cross-seeding with S-Met crystals into Se-Met protein worked for me on
several occasions.

Artem

-Original Message-
From: CCP4 bulletin board [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joe
Smith
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:11 PM
To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK
Subject: [ccp4bb] Problem with crystallization of Se-Met labeled protein

Dear all,
Sorry for an off-topic query.
I have been unable to crystallize a Se-met containing protein (8 Met
in 206 amino acids) in the native crystallization condition ( 0.1 M
Tris pH 8.5, 1.2 M K-Na-tartrate; Theoretical pI of protein is 8.4).
As expected, solubility of Se-Met containing protein is little less
than the wild type. Other than seeding, i don't know what else I
should try for obtaining a Se-met crystal for phasing. Can I mutate
some of the exposed Met  (based on secondary structure prediction and
homologous structure) to Ala as I feel I don't really need 8 Se for
phasing 208 aa long polypeptide. I want to know what generally one
should do when Se-Met containing proteins fail to crystallize.
Thanks in advance.
Joe
PS: Since, protein contains 3 Cys residues.. I am also planning to try
my luck with heavy atom compounds containing Hg.