Crystallization of an apo form of human arginase: using all the tools in the toolbox simultaneously

Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2011 Jan 1;67(Pt 1):90-3. doi: 10.1107/S1744309110046208. Epub 2010 Dec 23.

Abstract

Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) is an aminohydrolase that acts on L-arginine to produce urea and ornithine. Two isotypes of the enzyme are found in humans. Type I is predominantly produced in the liver and is a homotrimer of 35 kDa subunits. Human arginase (hArginase) I is seen to be up-regulated in many diseases and is a potential therapeutic target for many diverse indications. Previous reports of crystallization and structure determination of hArginase have always included inhibitors of the enzyme: here, the first case of a true apo crystal form of the enzyme which is suitable for small-molecule soaking is reported. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and have approximate unit-cell parameters a=53, b=67.5, c=250 Å. The crystals showed slightly anisotropic diffraction to beyond 2.0 Å resolution.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Arginase / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Sequence Data

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Arginase