Purification, characterization, and crystallization of alliinase from garlic

E. Bartholomeus Kuettner, R. Hilgenfeld, M. S. Weiss*

*Corresponding author for this work
30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Glycosylated dimeric alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4) was purified to homogeneity from its natural source, garlic. With 660 units/mg, the specific enzymatic activity of the pure enzyme is the highest reported to date. Based on both CD spectroscopy data and sequence-derived secondary structure prediction, the α-helix content of alliinase was estimated to be about 30%. Comparisons of all available amino acid sequences of alliinases revealed a common cysteine pattern of the type C-x18-19-C-x-C-x2-C-x5-C-x6-C in the N-terminal part of the sequences. This pattern is conserved in alliinases but absent in other pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes. It suggests the presence of an epidermal growth factor-like domain in the three-dimensional structures of alliinases, making them unique among the various families of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent enzymes. Well-ordered three-dimensional crystals of garlic alliinase were obtained in four different forms. The best diffraction was observed with crystal form IV (space group P212121, a = 68.4, b = 101.1, c = 155.7 Å) grown from an ammonium sulfate solution. These crystals diffract to at least 1.5 Å resolution at a synchrotron source and are suitable for structure determination.

Original languageEnglish
JournalArchives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Volume402
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)192-200
Number of pages9
ISSN0003-9861
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15.06.2002

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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