Crystallization of 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase

Abstract

The crystal structures can reveal detailed information about the overall structure, active site structure, and functional mechanism of enzymes. This study focused on the crystallization of 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase from Methylomonas aminofaciens 77a, to produce higher resolution crystals for precise structural characterization. 3-Hexulose-6-phosphate synthase is from Methylomonas aminofaciens 77a (EC 4.1.2.43). It belongs to the orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase superfamily, and acts as a key enzyme for a ribulose-monophosphate cycle of formaldehyde fixation and detoxification. 3-Hexulose-6-phosphate synthase catalyzes the aldol condensation of formaldehyde with D-ribulose-5-phosphate. For the maximum activity, 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase requires Mg2+ or Mn2+ as ligands. MaHPS crystallized at the concentration of 7 mg/mL and conditions consisting of 0.2 M MgCl2, 18% PEG 3350 at pH = 7.0.