Crystallographic studies of the chicken gizzard G-actin X DNase I complex at 5A resolution

The structure of the chicken gizzard G-actin X DNase I complex has been determined at 5 A resolution by an X-ray diffraction method. Protein phases were computed by the multiple isomorphous replacement method using four heavy atom derivatives. The mean figure of merit was 0.65. Dimensions of the three molecular species, the complex, G-actin and DNase I, were determined based on the "cypress wood" models derived from the electron density map. The natures of the heavy atom binding sites are discussed in relation to the distinction between the two component molecules. The pattern of successive contacts between actin molecules observed in the present crystal seems unrelated to that found in F-actin.