Crystallization of succinylated concanavalin A bound to a synthetic bivalent ligand and preliminary structural analysis

• Published in: Acta crystallographica. Section D, Biological crystallography. Biological crystallography., 1998-09, Vol.54 (5), p.1023-1025
• Main Authors: Moothoo, Davina N., McMahon, Stephen A., Dimick, Sarah M., Toone, Eric J., Naismith, James H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Azides - chemical synthesis; Azides - chemistry; Azides - metabolism; Concanavalin A - chemistry; Concanavalin A - isolation & purification; Concanavalin A - metabolism; Crystallization; Crystallography, X-Ray; Ligands; Macromolecular Substances; Mannosides - chemical synthesis; Mannosides - chemistry; Mannosides - metabolism; Models, Molecular; Protein Binding; Protein Conformation; Succinates - chemistry
• ISSN: 1399-0047; 0907-4449; 1399-0047
• DOI: 10.1107/S0907444998003965

Crystals have been obtained of succinylated concanavalin A complexed to a novel bidentate synthetic ligand. The crystals are the first example of a lectin with a synthetic multivalent ligand and the first report of crystallization of succinylated concanavalin A. The crystals were obtained by sitting‐drop vapour diffusion equilibrating with a solution of 20% polyethylene glycol, pH 5, 293.5 K. Crystals are orthorhombic, belonging to space group C2221 with unit‐cell dimensions of a = 99.1, b = 127.4, c = 118.9 Å. The asymmetric unit contains a dimer, with over 65% of the volume occupied by water. The ligand cross links concanavalin A monomers. Succinylated concanavalin A is known to be a dimer in solution, yet it is found as the typical concanavalin A tetramer in the crystal. The contacts holding together the tetramer appear extensive and suggest that a fine balance between dimer and tetramers exists. Data to 2.65 Å have been collected and the structure determined by the molecular replacement method.