Crystallization of type I chloramphenicol acetyltransferase: an approach based on the concept of ionic strength reducers

Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) is responsible for bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol. It catalyzes inactivation of the antibiotic by acetyl-group transfer from acetyl CoA to one or both hydroxyl groups of chloramphenicol, Type I CAT possesses some unique properties which are not observed in other CAT variants. Type I CAT overexpressed in Escherichia coli was purified and crystals with a resolution limit of 2.22 Angstrom have been obtained using a novel procedure which is based on the concept of 'ionic strength reducers'. The crystals have the symmetry of space group P1 and unit-cell parameters a = 96.46, b = 113.86, c = 114.21 Angstrom, alpha = 119.9, beta = 94.1, gamma = 98.6 degrees. These dimensions are consistent with four to six trimers per unit cell, corresponding to a solvent fraction ranging from 65 to 47%.