Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of monoprenylated Rab7 GTPase in complex with Rab escort protein 1

J Struct Biol. 2003 Jan;141(1):93-5. doi: 10.1016/s1047-8477(02)00634-2.

Abstract

Posttranslational geranylgeranylation of Rab GTPases is catalyzed by Rab geranylgeranyltransferase (RabGGTase), which consists of a catalytic alpha/beta heterodimer and an accessory Rab escort protein (REP). REP functions as a molecular chaperone that presents Rab proteins to the RabGGTase and after prenylation delivers them to their target membrane. Mutations in the REP-1 gene in humans lead to an X-chromosome-linked defect known as choroideremia, a progressive disease that inevitably culminates in complete blindness. Here we report in vitro assembly, purification, and crystallization of the monoprenylated Rab7GDP:REP-1 complex. X-Ray diffraction data for the REP-1:Rab7 complex were collected to 2.2-A resolution at the ESRF. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2 with unit-cell parameters a=64.3A, b=105.3A, c=132.6A. Preliminary structural analysis revealed the presence of one complex in the asymmetric unit. To understand the conformational changes in Rab protein on complex formation we also crystallized the GDP-bound form of Rab7 that diffracted to at least 1.8A on the in-house X-ray source.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases*
  • Chromosomes, Human, X
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • X-Ray Diffraction*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • rab7 GTP-Binding Proteins

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CHM protein, human
  • rab7 GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rab7 GTP-binding proteins, human
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins