Crystallization, microPIXE and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the complex between the third KH domain of hnRNP K and single-stranded DNA

Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2004 Apr;60(Pt 4):784-7. doi: 10.1107/S0907444904002628. Epub 2004 Mar 23.

Abstract

hnRNP K is one of the major proteins found in hnRNP particles which are ribonucleoprotein complexes containing proteins and pre-mRNA. hnRNP K contains hnRNP K homology (KH) domains which bind both CT-rich single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and CU-rich ssRNA. Co-crystallization of the third KH domain of human hnRNP K with a 15-mer ssDNA gave rod-shaped crystals belonging to the trigonal space group P3(1)21 (unit-cell parameters a = 54.0, c = 149.7 A) and diffracting to 2.4 A resolution. MicroPIXE (proton-induced X-ray emission) experiments showed that the crystals contained the complex and that the phosphorus to sulfur atomic ratio was consistent with the asymmetric unit containing three KH3 domains per 15-mer ssDNA. This was confirmed by structure solution by molecular replacement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Crystallization*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K / chemistry*
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission

Substances

  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K