Citrate pH Research Articles

Synthesis of MgTa 2O 6 nano-powders by citrate sol–gel method

A sol–gel processing was used to synthesize MgTa 2O 6 nano-powders at a low temperature using Ta 2O 5 as starting materials. The decomposition of precursors, and the crystal structure and microstructure of the MgTa 2O 6 powders were characterized by DTA/TG, XRD and SEM techniques. The effects of the amount of citrate acid and pH values on the stability of sol–gel solution and microstructure of MgTa 2O 6 nano-powders were investigated. XRD and TG/DTA results show that the MgTa 2O 6 nano-powders can be synthesized at 900 °C, and non-stoichiometric ratio of Mg to Ta was required to form the single MgTa 2O 6 phase. The average particle sizes of MgTa 2O 6 powders range from 25 nm to 100 nm with different CA/Ta and pH values.

Mixed Lineage Kinase-3 Stabilizes and Functionally Cooperates with TRIBBLES-3 to Compromise Mitochondrial Integrity in Cytokine-induced Death of Pancreatic Beta Cells

Mixed lineage kinases (MLKs) have been implicated in cytokine signaling as well as in cell death pathways. Our studies show that MLK3 is activated in leukocyte-infiltrated islets of non-obese diabetic mice and that MLK3 activation compromises mitochondrial integrity and induces apoptosis of beta cells. Using an ex vivo model of islet-splenocyte co-culture, we show that MLK3 mediates its effects via the pseudokinase TRB3, a mammalian homolog of Drosophila Tribbles. TRB3 expression strongly coincided with conformational change and mitochondrial translocation of BAX. Mechanistically, MLK3 directly interacted with and stabilized TRB3, resulting in inhibition of Akt, a strong suppressor of BAX translocation and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Accordingly, attenuation of MLK3 or TRB3 expression each prevented cytokine-induced BAX conformational change and attenuated the progression to apoptosis. We conclude that MLKs compromise mitochondrial integrity and suppress cellular survival mechanisms via TRB3-dependent inhibition of Akt.

Long-Term Treatment with Potassium Citrate and Renal Stones in Medullary Sponge Kidney

Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a renal malformation typically associated with nephrocalcinosis and recurrent calcium stones. Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis, hypocitraturia, and hypercalciuria are common. For stone prevention, patients with MSK generally receive the standard "stone clinic" recommendations and often receive potassium citrate (KC). However, the effect on stone recurrence of citrate treatment in these patients has never been studied. The issue was retrospectively analyzed on an outpatient basis in 97 patients with a radiologic diagnosis of MSK: 65 had at least one stone risk factor (SRF; hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria) and received KC [29 +/- 8 (SD) mEq/d]; 10 patients with SRF and 22 without received only general stone clinic suggestions. Follow-up was 78 +/- 13, 72 +/- 15, and 83 +/- 14 months, respectively. The 24-hour urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, citrate, and morning urine pH were investigated at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Parallel to a significant rise in urinary citrate and decreased urinary calcium (all P < 0.001), KC led to a dramatic reduction in the stone event rate (from 0.58 to 0.10 stones/yr per patient). The existence of a group of patients with MSK, those without SRF, with a very low stone rate and no SRF was recognized. Treatment with KC is effective in preventing renal stones in the typical patient with MSK. It seems that two clinical phenotypes among patients showing typical MSK features during radiologic study exist.

Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Regulates Cellular Proliferation and Tumor Growth in Urothelial Carcinoma

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling has been associated with aggressive tumor growth in many cancer models, although its role in urothelial carcinoma (UCC) has not been extensively explored. Expression of phosphorylated mTOR (P-mTOR) and a downstream target, ribosomal S6 protein (P-S6), was identified in 74% (90/121) and 55% (66/121) of muscle-invasive UCCs, respectively. P-mTOR intensity and %positive cells were associated with reduced disease-specific survival (P = 0.04, P = 0.08, respectively). Moreover, P-mTOR intensity corresponded to increased pathological stage (P < 0.01), and mTOR activity was associated with cell migration in vitro. In addition, mTOR inhibition via rapamycin administration reduced cell proliferation in UCC cell lines RT4, T24, J82, and UMUC3 in a dose-dependent manner to 6% of control levels and was significant at 1 nmol/L in J82, T24, and RT4 cells (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P = 0.03, respectively) and at 10 nmol/L in UMUC3 cells (P = 0.03). Reduced proliferation corresponded with reduced P-S6 levels by Western blot, and effects were ablated by pretreatment of cells with mTOR-specific siRNA. No effects of rapamycin on apoptosis were identified by TUNEL labeling or PARP cleavage. Administration of rapamycin to T24-xenografted mice resulted in a 55% reduction in tumor volume (P = 0.03) and a 40% reduction in proliferation (P < 0.01) compared with vehicle-injected mice. These findings indicate that mTOR pathway activation frequently occurs in UCC and that mTOR inhibition may be a potential means to reduce UCC growth.

Embryonic Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 Causes Malformations in Axial Skeleton

Cyclooxygenases (COXs) have important functions in various physiological and pathological processes. COX-2 expression is highly induced by a variety of stimuli and is observed during certain periods of embryonic development. In this report, the direct effect of COX-2 expression on embryonic development is examined in a novel COX-2 transgenic mouse model that ubiquitously expresses human COX-2 from the early stages of embryonic development. COX-2 transgenic fetuses exhibit severe skeletal malformations and die shortly after birth. Skeletal malformations are localized along the entire vertebral column and rib cage and are linked to defective formation of cartilage anlagen. The cartilage anlagen of axial skeleton fail to properly develop in transgenic embryos because of impaired precartilaginous sclerotomal condensation, which results from the reduction of cell number in the sclerotome. Despite the ubiquitous expression of COX-2, the number of apoptotic cells is highly increased in the sclerotome of transgenic embryos but not in other tissues, suggesting that it is a tissue-specific response. Therefore, the loss of sclerotomal cells due to an increased apoptosis is probably responsible for axial skeletal malformations in transgenic fetuses. In addition, the sclerotomal accumulation of p53 protein is observed in transgenic embryos, suggesting that COX-2 may induce apoptosis via the up-regulation of p53. Our results demonstrate that the aberrant COX-2 signaling during embryonic development is teratogenic and suggest a possible association of COX-2 with fetal malformations of unknown etiology.

Efficient strategy for enhancing aspergiolide A production by citrate feedings and its effects on sexual development and growth of marine-derived fungus Aspergillus glaucus

Aspergiolide A production enhancement by citrate and its effects on growth and sexual development of marine-derived fungus Aspergillus glaucus HB1-19 were investigated. In agar plate culture, 15mM citric acid decreased colony radial growth and aspergiolide A production by 31.5% and 23.0%, respectively. It also improved sexual cleistothecium formation by 360% but depressed asexual conidiospore generation by 84.8%. In submerged culture, adding 40mM citric acid finally promoted aspergiolide A production by 80.0%, which accompanied with 16.7% increase of biomass and 10.0% enhancement of sugar utilization. Differently, sodium citrate made no obvious or even opposite effects. Citrate and low pH could significantly improve pyruvate accumulation but inhibit succinate and fumarate production. Moreover, low pH was favorable to citrate utilization. Organic acids changes were closely related to aspergiolide A biosynthesis. Comparing to pH controls, effects of citric acid comprised pH decrease solicitation and citrate utilization enhancement.

Remote-loading labeling of liposomes with 99mTc-BMEDA and its stability evaluation: effects of lipid formulation and pH/chemical gradient

Efficient, convenient, and stable radiolabeling plays a critical role for the monitoring of liposome behavior via either blood sampling, organ distribution, or noninvasive nuclear imaging. The direct labeling of liposome-carrying drugs without any prior modification undoubtedly is convenient and optimal for liposomal drug testing. In this article, we investigated the effect of various lipid formulations and pH/chemical gradients on the radiolabeling efficiency and entrapment stability of technetium-99m (99mTc) remotely loaded into liposomes, using 99mTc-N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N’,N’-diethyl-ethylenediamine (99mTc-BMEDA) complex. The tested liposomes either contained unsaturated lipid or possessed various surface charges. 99mTc could be efficiently loaded into various premanufactured liposomes containing either an ammonium sulfate pH, citrate pH, or glutathione (GSH) chemical gradient. 99mTc-entrapment stabilities of these liposomes in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; pH 7.4) buffer at 25°C were mainly dependent on the pH/chemical gradient, but not lipid formulation. Stability sequence was ammonium sulfate pH-gradient>citrate pH-gradient>GSH-gradient. Stabilities of 99mTc-liposomes in 50% fetal bovine serum (FBS)/PBS (pH 7.4) buffer at 37°C are dependent on both lipid formulation and pH/chemical gradient. Specifically, 99mTc labeling of the ammonium sulfate pH-gradient liposomes were less stable in 50% FBS/PBS than in PBS, whereas noncationic liposomes with citrate pH- or GSH-gradient displayed higher stability, except that anionic citrate pH-gradient liposomes showed no stability difference in these two media. Cationic liposomes aggregated in 50% FBS/PBS, forming a new discrete fraction with larger particle sizes. These in vitro characterization results have indicated the optimism of using 99mTc-BMEDA for labeling pH/GSH gradient liposomes without the requirement of modifying lipid formulation for liposomal therapeutic-agent development.

Capillary electrophoresis separation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry characterization of bovine serum albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugates

A protocol using enzymatic digestion, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) for the investigation of the binding of the fluorescent contact allergen fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to the 66 kDa large protein bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a model system for protein–hapten binding in the skin, is presented. Mass spectra of BSA–FITC digestions, using trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively, provided sequence coverage of 97%. To investigate the number of FITC-bound peptides using CE-LIF separation, three different buffer salts at four different pH levels were evaluated. The use of 20 mM sodium citrate pH 6.5 as well as 20 mM sodium phosphate pH 6.5 or pH 7.5 as background electrolyte revealed high numbers of peptides with at least one bound FITC. The effect of the electrolyte counter ion on MALDI-MS was investigated and was found to have effect on the MALDI spectra signal-to-noise (S/N) at 50 mM but not at 10 mM. Of the 60 theoretical FITC-binding sites in BSA this MALDI-MS protocol presents 30 defined, 28 possible and 2 non-binding sites for FITC.

Corrosion behavior of Ti and TI6Al4V in citrate buffers containing fluoride ions

The effect of fluoride ions concentration on the electrochemical behavior of Ti grade 2 and Ti6Al4V in citrate buffers was studied. Open circuit potential (OCP) measurements and voltammetric studies of the samples in the fluoride containing citrate buffers revealed a dissolution process when the pH falls below 5.0 and the NaF content is higher than 0.01 M. However, in citrate pH 7.6 the materials showed a passive behavior even in 0.1 M NaF. Some micrographs of Ti grade 2 obtained after longer immersion times in citrate pH 5.0 with 0.01 M NaF showed a surface attack. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Sprectroscopy) data obtained at the OCP revealed that the film resistance decreases when the immersion time is increased in pH 5.0 containing 0.1 M NaF. In the citrate pH 7.6 the EIS data indicated a two-layer model of an oxide film consisting of a more compact inner layer and a porous outer layer. On the other hand, the EIS results in citrate pH 4.0 change significantly when the fluoride ions concentration increases from 0.01 to 0.05 M. The electrochemical data revealed that the corrosion behavior of Ti grade 2 and Ti6Al4V in the citrate buffers depends on the pH, the fluoride content and the exposure time.

Structural Basis of Human p70 Ribosomal S6 Kinase-1 Regulation by Activation Loop Phosphorylation

p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) is a downstream effector of the mTOR signaling pathway involved in cell proliferation, cell growth, cell-cycle progression, and glucose homeostasis. Multiple phosphorylation events within the catalytic, autoinhibitory, and hydrophobic motif domains contribute to the regulation of p70S6K. We report the crystal structures of the kinase domain of p70S6K1 bound to staurosporine in both the unphosphorylated state and in the 3'-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1-phosphorylated state in which Thr-252 of the activation loop is phosphorylated. Unphosphorylated p70S6K1 exists in two crystal forms, one in which the p70S6K1 kinase domain exists as a monomer and the other as a domain-swapped dimer. The crystal structure of the partially activated kinase domain that is phosphorylated within the activation loop reveals conformational ordering of the activation loop that is consistent with a role in activation. The structures offer insights into the structural basis of the 3'-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1-induced activation of p70S6K and provide a platform for the rational structure-guided design of specific p70S6K inhibitors.

Bovine serum albumin partitioning in polyethylene glycol (PEG)/potassium citrate aqueous two-phase systems

The extraction and back-extraction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been studied by liquid–liquid extraction with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/potassium citrate aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). In this work, the ATPS was examined with regard to the effects of PEG molecular weight (PEG 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000), PEG and potassium citrate concentration, BSA concentration ( C BSA) and pH on BSA partition. The pH was found to have significant effects on BSA partition with low molecular weight PEG 1000. The yield of the BSA, 99%, was obtained in the top phase under the following conditions: 19% (w/w) PEG 1000, 20% (w/w) potassium citrate and 0.75 mg/g C BSA at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. BSA can be re-extracted to a new citrate phase by decreasing the pH of the system with a 92% yield. The back-extraction not only separates the BSA from the polymer, but also allows the polymer to be recycled. The global yield ( Y e + Y be) is up to 91%.

Liquid high concentration IgG1 antibody formulations by precipitation

A manufacturing approach for liquid high concentration antibody formulations based on precipitation and subsequent re‐dissolution was investigated. IgG1 antibody solutions were concentrated from 20 to 100 mg/mL by intermediate precipitation, with a recovery exceeding 95%, retention of the native secondary structure and binding activity as well as adequate stability. Quantitative, reproducible precipitation was performed using 1.45 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5 and 8.0), 0.67 M sodium citrate (pH 8.0) and 9% (w/v) PEG 4000 (pH 5.5 and 8.0). Scalability was confirmed from 1 to 100 mL. The concentrations achievable in the re‐dissolution step were less affected by the re‐dissolution medium, but limited by the residual precipitant. Both, improved removal of remaining precipitant liquid and larger precipitation scales were successful in increasing the final protein concentration. SEC and turbidity analysis directly after re‐dissolution indicated that similar protein qualities were obtained, independent from the precipitant used. However, increased aggregate formation was observed after short term storage of the precipitated protein particles at either 2–8°C or ambient temperature. An accelerated mechanical and thermal stability program verified comparable stability of the re‐dissolved liquid 100 mg/mL formulations produced by intermediate precipitation to a control formulation obtained by standard ultrafiltration. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:3043–3057, 2009

Rapid Analysis of Nitrate and Nitrite by Ion-Interaction Chromatography on a Monolithic Column

Ion-interaction chromatography with direct conductivity detection has been used for analysis of nitrate and nitrite. Chromatographic separation was performed on a monolithic silica-based C18 column dynamically modified with tetrabutylammonium (TBA+). Using the optimized mobile phase, containing 2.0 mmol L−1 TBA+ and 0.8 mmol L−1 citrate (pH 6.0), delivered at a flow rate of 6.0 mL min−1, separation of five anions (chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, and sulfate) was achieved in only 40 s at a column temperature of 30 °C. The detection limits for nitrate and nitrite were 0.74 and 0.92 mg L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 5) of the retention times of nitrate and nitrite was 0.1% and RSD of chromatographic peak areas were 0.4 and 0.2%, respectively. The method was successfully used for analysis of the anions in groundwater. Recovery of nitrate and nitrite was 99.1 and 105%, respectively.

Structural Basis of the Catalytic Mechanism Operating in Open-Closed Conformers of Lipocalin Type Prostaglandin D Synthase

Lipocalin type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is a multifunctional protein acting as a somnogen (PGD2)-producing enzyme, an extracellular transporter of various lipophilic ligands, and an amyloid-β chaperone in human cerebrospinal fluid. In this study, we determined the crystal structures of two different conformers of mouse L-PGDS, one with an open cavity of the β-barrel and the other with a closed cavity due to the movement of the flexible E-F loop. The upper compartment of the central large cavity contains the catalytically essential Cys65 residue and its network of hydrogen bonds with the polar residues Ser45, Thr67, and Ser81, whereas the lower compartment is composed of hydrophobic amino acid residues that are highly conserved among other lipocalins. SH titration analysis combined with site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the Cys65 residue is activated by its interaction with Ser45 and Thr67 and that the S45A/T67A/S81A mutant showed less than 10% of the L-PGDS activity. The conformational change between the open and closed states of the cavity indicates that the mobile calyx contributes to the multiligand binding ability of L-PGDS.

광섬유 국소화 표면 플라즈몬 공명 센서를 위한 광섬유 표면상의 금 나노 입자 특성 분석

In this study, the optical properties of localized surface plasmon resonance sensor using optical fiber was analyzed as the variation of a size and surface density of gold nano particles on the etched optical fiber surface. It is shown that a size and surface density of gold nano particles on optical fiber surface are controlled by <TEX>$Na_3$</TEX> citrate quantity and pH of gold colloid solution. To measure the sensitivity, peak wavelength of absorbance spectrum was detected as the reflective index of the solution. The sensor sensitivity is linearly dependent on the size and surface densities of gold nano particles from the results of optical experiments.

Yeast diversity of Ghanaian cocoa bean heap fermentations

The fermentation of the Theobroma cacao beans, involving yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria, has a major influence on the quality of the resulting cocoa. An assessment of the microbial community of cocoa bean heap fermentations in Ghana resulted in 91 yeast isolates. These were grouped by PCR-fingerprinting with the primer M13. Representative isolates were identified using the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene, internal transcribed spacer sequences and partial actin gene sequences leading to the detection of 15 species. Properties of importance for cocoa bean fermentation, namely sucrose, glucose, and citrate assimilation capacity, pH-, ethanol-, and heat-tolerance, were examined for selected isolates. Pichia kudriavzevii (Issatchenkia orientalis), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Hanseniaspora opuntiae formed the major components of the yeast community. Hanseniaspora opuntiae was identified conclusively for the first time from cocoa fermentations. Among the less frequently encountered species, Candida carpophila, Candida orthopsilosis, Kodamaea ohmeri, Meyerozyma (Pichia) caribbica, Pichia manshurica, Saccharomycodes ludwigii, and Yamadazyma (Pichia) mexicana were not yet documented from this substrate. Hanseniaspora opuntiae was preferably growing during the earlier phase of fermentation, reflecting its tolerance to low pH and its citrate-negative phenotype, while no specific temporal distribution was recognized for P. kudriavzevii and S. cerevisiae.

Ion-exchange preconcentration and determination of vanadium in milk samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A new method for the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of vanadium in milk and infant formulas using suspensions to avoid the need for previous dissolution of samples is described. Sensitivity is improved by a procedure based on preconcentration and removal of the matrix, using ion-exchange (Dowex 1X8-100). Suspensions of 15% (m/v) infant formula samples were prepared in a medium containing 0.05 M sodium citrate (pH 7.2) and passed through the ion exchange column. Vanadium was eluted from the column using 1 M hydrochloric acid and injected in the graphite furnace using a mixture of hydrofluoric acid plus magnesium nitrate as chemical modifiers. Calibration was carried out using multiple injection and aqueous standards prepared in the same medium. Detection limits were 0.2 ng g −1 for infant formulas and 0.02 μg L −1 for cow milk samples. The reliability of the procedure was checked by comparing the results obtained with those found using a previous mineralization stage and by analyzing five certified reference materials.

P120 Catenin Recruits Cadherins to γ-Secretase and Inhibits Production of Aβ Peptide

The gamma-secretase complex cleaves many transmembrane proteins, including amyloid precursor protein, EphB and ErbB tyrosine kinase receptors, Notch1 receptors, and adhesion factors. Presenilin 1, the catalytic subunit of gamma-secretase, associates with the cadherin/catenin cell-cell adhesion/communication system and promotes cadherin processing (Georgakopoulos, A., et al. (1999) Mol. Cell 4, 893-902; Marambaud, P., et al. (2002) EMBO J. 21, 1948-1956), but the mechanism by which gamma-secretase and cadherins associate is unclear. Here we report that p120 catenin (p120ctn), a component of the cadherin-catenin complex, recruits gamma-secretase to cadherins, thus stimulating their processing while inhibiting production of Abeta peptide and the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain. This function of p120ctn depends on both p120ctn-cadherin and p120ctn-presenilin 1 binding, indicating that p120ctn is the central factor that bridges gamma-secretase and cadherin-catenin complexes. Our data show that p120ctn is a unique positive regulator of the gamma-secretase processing of cadherins and a negative regulator of the amyloid precursor protein processing. Furthermore, our data suggest that specific members of the gamma-secretase complex may be used to recruit different substrates and that distinct PS1 sequences are required for processing of APP and cadherins.

Effect of two sports drinks on urinary lithogenicity

The effect of commercial oral rehydration solutions ("sports drinks") relative to water on risk of nephrolithiasis has not been studied previously. We studied the effect of two sports drinks, Performance (Shaklee Corp., Pleasanton, CA, USA) and Gatorade (Gatorade, Chicago, IL, USA) on urinary chemistry and measures of lithogenicity in non-stone formers. Performance has a pH of 4.3, and contains 21 mmol/L of sodium, 5.3 mmol/L of potassium, 0.8 mmol/L of calcium, and 19.5 mmol/L of citrate. Gatorade pH ranges from 2.9 to 3.2, and contains 20 mmol/L of sodium, 3.2 mmol/L of potassium, negligible calcium, and 13.9 mmol/L of citrate. Subjects drank 946 ml (32 oz) of tap water daily for 3 days, and recorded diet history. This was followed by a second 3-day experimental period during which subjects drank 946 ml (32 oz) of sports drink daily, duplicating diets from part 1. In each 3-day period, urine was collected for 24 h during days 2 and 3. Urine chemical analysis was performed, and supersaturations of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and uric acid were calculated. Nine subjects completed the study using Performance, ten used Gatorade. Urine volumes and creatinine excretions were not different during the control and experimental periods. Performance increased mean citrate excretion by 170 mg/day (95% CI 57-284 mg/day; P = 0.01) and increased urine pH by 0.31 (95% CI 0.03-0.59; P = 0.03). Gatorade did not significantly change urinary citrate excretion or pH. Neither drink caused significant differences in the excretion of sodium and calcium or any supersaturation value. Ingestion of Performance, but not Gatorade, led to an increase in mean urinary citrate excretion and pH as compared to water. The increase in citrate is likely to be a clinically significant effect. pH is an important determinant of alkali load in beverages containing organic anions. Performance, with more citrate and a higher pH than Gatorade, could represent a superior alternative to water for reducing urinary lithogenicity. Most sports drinks with significant carbohydrate content however may contain too many calories, and fructose, to be preferred beverages for stone prevention.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the BTL2 lipase from the extremophilic microorganism Bacillus thermocatenulatus.

Bacillus thermocatenulatus lipase 2 (BTL2) is a thermoalkalophilic lipase that has been reported as an enantioselective biocatalyst for diverse reactions and that heads a group of enzymes that share high resistance towards many inactivation agents (heat, organic solvents, pH etc.). This makes BTL2 an important research target because of its potential industrial applications. BTL2 was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and concentrated for crystallization using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method at 291 K. Crystals grew from a mixture of 13% MPD and 0.2 M ammonium acetate in 0.05 M sodium citrate pH 5.5-5.6. The crystals, which belonged to the orthorhombic space group I222 with unit-cell parameters a = 73.07, b = 129.08, c = 127.49 A, allowed the collection of an X-ray data set to 2.2 A resolution.