Selikhanov, G.; Fufina, T.; Vasilieva, L.; Betzel, C.; Gabdulkhakov, A.: Novel approaches for the lipid sponge phase crystallization of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides photosynthetic reaction center. IUCrJ 7 (2020), p. 1084-1091
10.1107/S2052252520012142
Open Access Version (externer Anbieter)
Abstract:
With the recent developments in the field of free-electron-laser-based serial femtosecond crystallography, the necessity to obtain a large number of high-quality crystals has emerged. In this work crystallization techniques were selected, tested and optimized for the lipid mesophase crystallization of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides membrane pigment-protein complex, known as the photosynthetic reaction center (RC). Novel approaches for lipid sponge phase crystallization in comparatively large volumes using Hamilton gas-tight glass syringes and plastic pipetting tips are described. An analysis of RC crystal structures obtained by lipid mesophase crystallization revealed non-native ligands that displaced the native electron-transfer cofactors (carotenoid spheroidene and a ubiquinone molecule) from their binding pockets. These ligands were identified and were found to be lipids that are major mesophase components. The selection of distinct co-crystallization conditions with the missing cofactors facilitated the restoration of spheroidene in its binding site.