Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction data of two different human low-density lipoprotein (LDL)...

Human LDL subfractions LDL-2 (d = 1.031-1.034 g/ml) and LDL-5 (d = 1.040-1.044 g/ml) were crystallized in two different crystal forms by using polyethylene glycol as a precipitant. Both fractions were from one donor. Crystals of LDL-5 were yellow, hexagonal, and showed no dichroism. Crystals of LDL-2 were of the same color, had a rodlike shape with notches at both ends, and were highly dichroitic. LDL-2 crystals diffracted to a resolution of 29 A by using synchrotron radiation. Indexing in P1 resulted in preliminary parameters for the reduced cell of a = 171 A, b = 438 A, c = 519 A, alpha = 102 degrees, beta = 99 degrees, gamma = 91. These dimensions are consistent with the size of LDL particles. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and agarose gel electrophoresis, we could further confirm that the crystals consist of LDL. The FTIR spectrum showed bands characteristic for lipids and protein. Dissolved crystals exhibited a mobility similar to native LDL in agarose gels and could be stained with anti-human apolipoprotein B (apoB).