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E L Darii

Publications and source records attributed to E L Darii.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Structure of Escherichia coli glutamate decarboxylase (GADalpha) in complex with glutarate at 2.05 angstroms resolution.

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is a pyridoxal enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of L-glutamate into gamma-aminobutyric acid and carbon dioxide. The Escherichia coli enzyme exists as two isozymes, referred to as GADalpha and GADbeta. Crystals of the complex of the recombinant isozyme GADalpha with glutarate as a substrate analogue were grown in space group R3, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 117.1, c = 196.4 angstroms. The structure of the enzyme was solved by the molecular-replacement method and refined at 2.05 angstroms resolution to an R factor of 15.1% (R(free) = 19.9%). The asymmetric unit contains a dimer consisting of two subunits of the enzyme related by a noncrystallographic twofold axis which is perpendicular to and intersects a crystallographic threefold axis. The dimers are related by a crystallographic threefold axis to form a hexamer. The active site of each subunit is formed by residues of the large domains of both subunits of the dimer. The coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) forms an aldimine bond with Lys276. The glutarate molecule bound in the active site of the enzyme adopts two conformations with equal occupancies. One of the two carboxy groups of the glutarate occupies the same position in both conformations and forms hydrogen bonds with the N atom of the main chain of Phe63 and the side chain of Thr62 of one subunit and the side chains of Asp86 and Asn83 of the adjacent subunit of the dimer. Apparently, it is in this position that the distal carboxy group of the substrate would be bound by the enzyme, thus providing recognition of glutamic acid by the enzyme.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed2003

Hydrogel-based protein microchips: manufacturing, properties, and applications.

Here a simple, reproducible, and versatile method is described for manufacturing protein and ligand chips. The photo-induced copolymerization of acrylamide-based gel monomers with different probes (oligonucleotides, DNA, proteins, and low-molecular ligands) modified by the introduction of methacrylic groups takes place in drops on a glass or silicone surface. All probes are uniformly and chemically fixed with a high yield within the whole volume of hydrogel semispherical chip elements that are chemically attached to the surface. Purified enzymes, antibodies, antigens, and other proteins, as well as complex protein mixtures such as cell lysates, were immobilized on a chip. Avidin- and oligohistidine-tagged proteins can be immobilized within biotin- and Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid-modified gel elements. Most gel-immobilized proteins maintain their biological properties for at least six months. Fluorescence and chemiluminescence microscopy were used as efficient methods for the quantitative analysis of the microchips. Direct on-chip matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry was used for the qualitative identification of interacting molecules and to analyze tryptic peptides after the digestion of proteins in individual gel elements. We also demonstrate other useful properties of protein microchips and their application to proteomics and diagnostics.

Equipment Design↗