The 1.45 A resolution structure of the cryptogein-cholesterol complex: a close-up view of a sterol carrier protein (SCP) active site.
Cryptogein is a small 10 kDa elicitor produced by the phytoparasitic oomycete Phytophthora cryptogea. The protein also displays a sterol carrier activity. The native protein crystallizes in space group P4(1)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 46.51, c = 134.9 A (diffraction limit: 2.1 A). Its complex with cholesterol crystallizes in space group C222(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 30.96, b = 94.8, c = 65.3 A and a resolution enhanced to 1.45 A. The large inner non-specific hydrophobic cavity is able to accommodate a large variety of 3-beta-hydroxy sterols. Cryptogein probably acts as a sterol shuttle helping the pathogen to grow and complete its life cycle.
Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologiques (UMR-8015, CNRS), Faculté de Pharmacie, 4 Avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris CEDEX 06, France. lascombe@pharmacie.univ-paris5.fr
Marie Bernard
MB
Lascombe
Michel
M
Ponchet
Paul
P
Venard
Marie Louise
ML
Milat
Jean Pierre
JP
Blein
Thierry
T
Prangé
D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry*; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015394:Molecular Structure; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*
D020418:Algal Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D013261:Sterols; C061032:cryptogein protein, Phytophthora cryptogea; D002784:Cholesterol