Arylformamidase Introduction
The structure 2pbl, a denoted by its Protein Data Bank (PDB) accession number, was determined using x-ray crystallography at the Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG) (see figure 2). 2pbl heralds from Silibacter sp. TM1040. One of the goals of the JCSG is to achieve structural coverage of broad range of protein families by analysing homologous sequences from a variety of model organisms including Silicbacter sp. For structural determination, the protein was expressed in Escherichia coli using a plasmid as the vector. A resolution of 1.79 A was achieved with an R-value of 0.224 and an R-free value of 0.270. The closer the R values are to each other, the better the quality of the structure.
Upon crystallisation, 2pbl formed a tetramer structure. However, structures formed upon crystalisation do not always denote the functional form of a protein which can exist as a dimer or oligomer as well. In fact, such forms may have been evolutionary selected for to confer features such as thermostability (Byun 2007). By examining the crystal structure and … , we have attempted to deduce the functional form of 2pbl.
'Arylformamidase' heralds from Silibacter sp. TM1040, a member of the Roseobacter clade of alpha-proteobacteria. It was first isolated as part of an investigation into the role of bacteria in the physiology and toxigenesis of the dinoflagellate Pfiestera piscicida. Silicibacter sp. TM1040 has been found necessary for the survival of this organism. Most interestingly, the bacteria is able to demethylate the dinoflagellate secondary metabolite dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) to methylmercaptopropionic acid (MMPA). DMSP is the major source of organic sulphur in the world’s oceans, forming a major part of the global sulphur cycle.
