title: Fusion-protein-assisted protein crystallization.
abstract: Fusion proteins can be used directly in protein crystallization to assist crystallization in at least two different ways. In one approach, the `heterologous fusion-protein approach', the fusion partner can provide additional surface area to promote crystal contact formation. In another approach, the `fusion of interacting proteins approach', protein assemblies can be stabilized by covalently linking the interacting partners. The linker connecting the proteins plays different roles in the two applications: in the first approach a rigid linker is required to reduce conformational heterogeneity; in the second, conversely, a flexible linker is required that allows the native interaction between the fused proteins. The two approaches can also be combined. The recent applications of fusion-protein technology in protein crystallization from the work of our own and other laboratories are briefly reviewed.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Bostjan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kobe
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ve
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins
keywords: fusion of interacting proteins approach; heterologous fusion-protein approach; linker; membrane-protein crystallization; protein interactions; recombinant fusion protein