Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the Ca2+-bound C-terminal lobe of troponin C in complex with a troponin I-derived peptide fragment from Akazara scallop.

Troponin C (TnC) is the Ca(2+)-binding component of troponin and triggers muscle contraction. TnC of the invertebrate Akazara scallop can bind only one Ca(2+) at the C-terminal EF-hand motif. Recombinant TnC was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, complexed with a 24-residue synthetic peptide derived from scallop troponin I (TnI) and crystallized. The crystals diffracted X-rays to 1.80 A resolution and belonged to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 32.1, b = 42.2, c = 60.0 A. The asymmetric unit was assumed to contain one molecular complex of the Akazara scallop TnC C-lobe and TnI fragment, with a Matthews coefficient of 1.83 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 33.0%.