Mitsui's Lab. - Protein Crystallography -
Mitsui Laboratory
- Three-dimensional Structure, Function and Evolution of Proteins -
Mitsui Laboratory is a division of the Department of BioEngineering at the Nagaoka University of Technology.
This group specializes in the elucidation of three-dimensional structures of proteins by means of X-ray crystallographic techniques (protein crystallography). More than 20 members are working under the direction of three staff members (Prof.Y.Mitsui (left), Drs.T.Nonaka and T.Senda). The target proteins currently being attacked involve, a) enzymes (proteases, ribonucleqses, dehydrogenases etc.) and their (proteinaceous) inhibitors, b) cytokines (interferons, activin), their rceptor proteins and response modifier proteins, c) proteins as targets of drug action (calmodulin - antipsychotics etc.), d) proteins with potential industrial or ecological application (PCB-degrading dioxygenase, chitinase etc.), e) proteins controlling gene expression (RNA and DNA polymerases, Streptomyces A-factor receptor etc.).
The crystal structure are solved either by muliple isomorphous replacement (MIR) method or by molecular replacement method. Time-resolved Laue X-ray diffraction method (using synchrotron radiation) is also eagerly pursued in the hope of tracing enzymatic reaction procedures in three-dimensional structural terms.
For each successfully elucidated protein structure, we make all efforts to assemble as many functional and evolutionary data pertinent to that protein as possible and interprete them in the context of three-dimensional structure.
Applications for graduate student toward Ph D or post-doctoral positions are welcome. Routinely receiving so many applications, however, only those expressing specific interests in our projects (see the publication list) and having crystallographic (small molecule or protein (preferred)) experience will be considered. Applications through e-mail are not acceptable.
Main facilities
X-ray diffraction equipments.
12 kW Rotating anode X-ray generator (Rigaku RU-200, 2 sets)
Two-dimensional imaging plate X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku R-AXIS IIc, 2 sets)
Oxford Cryostream crystal cooler, Four-circle X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku AFC-5R),
3 kW X-ray generator, Precession camera.
Frequent access to synchrotron X-ray facility at the Photon Factory, Tsukuba.
Work Stations
Indigo (Silicon Graphics) x 2, Indy (Silicon Graphics) x 3, IRIS-4D25
The equipments for purification and crystallization of the proteins (HPLC, Incubators etc.).
