Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of β-alanine synthase from the yeast Saccharomyces kluyveri

In eukaryotes and some bacteria, the third step of reductive pyrimidine catabolism is catalyzed by beta-alanine synthase (EC 3.5.1.6). Crystals of the recombinant enzyme from the yeast Saccharomyces kluyveri were obtained using sodium citrate as a precipitant. The crystals belong to space group P2(1) (unit-cell parameters a=117.2, b=77.1, c=225.5 Angstrom, beta=95.0degrees) and contain four homodimers per asymmetric unit. Data were collected to 2.7 Angstrom resolution. Introduction of heavy atoms into the crystal lattice induced a different set of unit-cell parameters (a=61.0, b=77.9, c=110.1 Angstrom, beta=97.2degrees) in the same space group P2(1), with only one homodimer per asymmetric unit.