Abstact

The structure of the Haemophilus influenzae HslV protease of the HslUV 'prokaryotic proteasome' has been solved by molecular replacement and refined with data to 1.9 A resolution. The protease is a 'double donut' of hexameric rings; two alternative sets of intermolecular interactions between protomers in the rings result in 'quasi-equivalent' packing within the assembly. Anomalous scattering data from crystals with potassium present in the mother liquor reveal a K(+) ion bound with octahedral coordination near the active-site Thr1 residue. The site also binds Na(+) ions and is likely to bind Mg(2+), suggesting that monovalent and divalent metal ions may influence the catalytic activity of the protease.