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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Fully Autonomous Characterization and Data Collection from Crystals of Biological Macromolecules
Published on: March 22, 2019
Crystal structure of human intrinsic factor: cobalamin complex at 2.6-A resolution
F S Mathews1, M M Gordon, Z Chen
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Abstract:
The structure of intrinsic factor (IF) in complex with cobalamin (Cbl) was determined at 2.6-A resolution. The overall fold of the molecule is that of an alpha(6)/alpha(6) barrel. It is a two-domain protein, and the Cbl is bound at the interface of the domains in a base-on conformation. Surprisingly, two full-length molecules, each comprising an alpha- and a beta-domain and one Cbl, and two truncated molecules with only an alpha- domain are present in the same asymmetric unit. The environment around Cbl is dominated by uncharged residues, and the sixth coordinate position of Co(2+) is empty. A detailed comparison between the IF-B12 complex and another Cbl transport protein complex, trans-Cbl-B12, has been made. The pH effect on the binding of Cbl analogues in transport proteins is analyzed. A possible basis for the lack of interchangeability of human and rat IF receptors is presented.
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