Crystallization of a novel esterase which inactivates the macrolide toxin brefeldin A

A novel esterase obtained from Bacillus subtilis and capable of hydrolyzing the phytotoxin brefeldin A was crystallized using the hanging-drop technique. The crystals have two forms and both are monoclinic: form I, space group P2₁ with a = 101.7, b = 64.1, c = 55.4 Å and β = 102.5°, and form II, space group C2 with a = 140.7, b = 82.6, c = 81.5 Å and β = 112.5°. There are two molecules related by a pronounced non-crystallographic dyad per asymmetric unit in both crystal forms. The crystals diffract to 2.3 Å using a rotating-anode X-ray source.