title: Expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data analysis of NT-Als9-2, a fungal adhesin from Candida albicans.
abstract: Candida albicans is a common human fungal commensal that can also cause a range of infections from skin/mucosal `thrush' to severe systemic candidiasis. Adherence to host cells is one of the key determinants of Candida pathogenesis. The Als family of surface proteins has been implicated in adhesion of C. albicans, yet limited information has been published on the structure and mechanism of these fungal adhesins. The N-terminal region of these proteins has been shown to possess adhesive properties, making it a possible target for new therapeutic strategies. Recombinant NT-Als9-2 from C. albicans (residues 18-329) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected to 2.0 Å resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 34.73, b = 68.71, c = 120.03 Å, α = β = γ = 90° and one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Platinum-derivatized crystals belonged to the same space group, with similar unit-cell parameters, although they were not completely isomorphous.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, England.
authors.forename: Paula S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cota
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000737:chemistry*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D015870:Gene Expression
chemical_list: C109455:ALA1 protein, Candida albicans; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005656:Fungal Proteins