Crystallization of the NAD(P)-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus

The NAD(P)-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase from Pyrococcus furiosus has been crystallized by the hanging-drop method of vapour diffusion using lithium sulfate as the precipitant. The crystals belong to the tetragonal system and are in space group P4₂2₁2 with unit-cell dimensions of a = b = 167.2, c = 172.9 Å. Consideration of the values of V_m and possible packing of the molecules within the cell suggest that the asymmetric unit contains a trimer. P. furiosus belongs to the family of Archaea and is one of the most thermostable organisms known, having an optimal growth temperature of 376 K. The glutamate dehydrogenase isolated from this organism has a half-life of 12 h at 373 K and, therefore, the determination of the structure of this enzyme will be important in advancing our understanding of how proteins are adapted to enable them to survive at such extreme temperatures.