Crystallization and first data collection of the putative transfer protein TraN from the Gram-positive conjugative plasmid pIP501
Conjugative plasmid transfer is the most important route for the spread of resistance and virulence genes among bacteria. Consequently, bacteria carrying conjugative plasmids are a substantial threat to human health, especially hospitalized patients. Whilst detailed information about the process has been obtained for Gram-negative type-4 secretion systems, little is known about the corresponding mechanisms in Gram-positive (G+) bacteria. The successful purification and crystallization of the putative transfer protein TraN from the G+ conjugative model plasmid pIP501 ofEnterococcus faecalisare presented. Native crystals diffracted to 1.8 Å resolution on a synchrotron beamline. The crystals belonged to space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 32.88,b = 54.94,c= 57.71 Å, β = 91.89° and two molecules per asymmetric unit.