Crambin

Crambin 3NIR

Crambin is a small protein derived from the seeds of the plant Crambe abyssinica. It is notable for its well-defined structure and has been extensively studied in the field of structural biology.

Structure

Crambin consists of 46 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 4.7 kDa. The protein is characterized by a compact, globular structure stabilized by three disulfide bonds. The high-resolution structure of crambin has been determined using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, making it one of the most well-characterized proteins in terms of atomic detail.

Function

The biological function of crambin in Crambe abyssinica is not fully understood. However, it is believed to play a role in the plant's defense mechanisms against pathogens and pests. The protein's stability and resistance to degradation suggest it may help protect the seeds during development and germination.

Research Applications

Crambin is widely used as a model system in protein folding studies and in the development of new techniques for protein structure determination. Its small size and well-defined structure make it an ideal candidate for testing new methods in crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.

Crystallography

Crambin has been crystallized in various forms, and its crystal structures have provided valuable insights into the principles of protein folding and stability. The high-resolution data obtained from crambin crystals have been used to refine computational models of protein structure and to develop new algorithms for molecular dynamics simulations.

NMR Spectroscopy

In addition to crystallography, crambin has been extensively studied using NMR spectroscopy. These studies have provided detailed information about the protein's secondary structure, tertiary structure, and dynamics. NMR data have also been used to investigate the effects of mutations and environmental conditions on crambin's stability and folding behavior.

See Also

• Protein structure
• X-ray crystallography
• NMR spectroscopy
• Protein folding
• Disulfide bond