Expression, purification and crystallization of the Atg5-Atg16 complex essential for autophagy

Abstract

Atg5 is a novel 34 kDa protein that is covalently modified by Atg12, a ubiquitin-like modifier, and forms a complex with Atg16. The Atg12-Atg5-Atg16 complex localizes to autophagosome precursors and plays an essential role in autophagosome formation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Atg5 in complex with the N-terminal regions of Atg16 was expressed, purified and crystallized in four crystal forms. Forms I, II and III belong to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 66.3, b = 104.4, c = 112.1 Å, β = 92.1° (form I), a = 79.5, b = 101.4, c = 95.1 Å, β = 98.6° (form II) or a = 56.9, b = 101.2, c = 66.5 Å, β = 100.6° (form III). Form IV belongs to space group P42212, with unit-cell parameters a = 73.3, c = 148.1 Å. Diffraction data were collected from all crystal forms and high-resolution data to beyond 2.0 Å resolution were obtained from a form IV crystal. © International Union of Crystallography, 2006.