Crystallization and preliminary structural studies of Scilla campanulata lectin complexed with α1–6 mannobiose

Recent work has shown that Scilla campanulata agglutinin from bluebell bulbs has a strong affinity for α(1,3)- and α(1,6)-linked mannosyl residues and possesses moderate antiretroviral activity. This lectin has been crystallized by the hanging-drop method of vapour diffusion complexed with the disaccharide mannose-α1,6-d-mannose. The crystals are in the space group P2₁2₁2 with unit-cell dimensions a = 70.63, b = 92.79 and c = 47.25 Å, and with a dimer in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract X-rays to beyond 1.5 Å resolution at 277 K and are stable in an X-ray beam. Data to 1.6 Å resolution have been collected using a MAR image-plate system at a synchrotron source and the structure of the complex has been solved by the molecular replacement method.