Crystallization of NADH-cytochrome reductase aimed to neutron crystallography

Shoyama, Yoshinari; Tamada, Taro; Kuroki, Ryota; Kimura, Shigenobu*; Takeda, Kazuki*; Hayashi, Takuro*; Miki, Kunio*

NADH-cytochrome reductase (b5R) is a pyridine nucleotide-dependent flavin reductase which contains a FAD in a molecule. The b5R catalyzes the electron transfer from NADH to cytochrome b5. The b5R is related to fatty acid metabolism and reduction of cytochrome P450. In order to clarify detailed structure of b5R, we carried out purification of b5R from E coli cell according to the method previously reported. Since a large-size crystal is necessary for the neutron structure analysis. We addressed enlargement of crystal by macroseeding method and periodical addition of protein sample to the crystallization solution. We succeeded in a preparation of large-scale crystal with volume of 4 mm, and we did preliminary neutron diffraction study using this crystal. Then we got 2 resolution neutron diffraction data at BIX4.