A lectin from the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis has a highly novel primary structure and induces glycan-mediated cytotoxicity of globotriaosylceramide-expressing lymphoma cells.

A novel lectin structure was found for a 17-kDa α-D-galactose-binding lectin (termed "MytiLec") isolated from the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. The complete primary structure of the lectin was determined by Edman degradation and mass spectrometric analysis. MytiLec was found to consist of 149 amino acids with a total molecular mass of 16,812.

Expression, purification and characterization of leukotriene B(4) receptor, BLT1 in Pichia pastoris.

The high yield expression of BLT1, a G-protein coupled receptor for leukotriene B(4), was established in Pichia pastoris for structural studies. Guinea pig BLT1 was expressed in a functional form without post-translational modifications for the rapid purification and the crystallization. Among the BLT1s from four species, only guinea pig BLT1 was successfully expressed with the comparable binding affinity to BLT1 of native guinea pig tissues for several ligands.

Crystallization and preliminary diffraction studies of prostaglandin E2-specific monoclonal antibody Fab fragment in the ligand complex.

Prostaglandin E(2) is a major lipid mediator that regulates diverse biological processes. To elucidate how prostaglandin E(2) is recognized specifically by its antibody, the Fab fragment of a monoclonal anti-prostaglandin E(2) antibody was prepared and its complex with prostaglandin E(2) was crystallized. The stable Fab-prostaglandin E(2) complex was prepared by gel-filtration chromatography.

Structure of a haloacid dehalogenase superfamily phosphatase PH1421 from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3: oligomeric state and thermoadaptation mechanism.

PH1421 from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 is a hypothetical protein belonging to the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily. To gain insight into its biological function and thermostabilization mechanism, the crystal structure of PH1421 has been determined at 1.6 A resolution.