Crystallization and preliminary X‐ray diffraction analysis of mevalonate kinase from Methanosarcina mazei

Mevalonate kinase (MVK), which plays an important role in catalysing the biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds derived from the mevalonate pathway, transforms mevalonate to 5‐phosphomevalonate using ATP as a cofactor. Mevalonate kinase from Methanosarcina mazei ( Mm MVK) was expressed in Escherichia coli , purified and crystallized for structural analysis. Diffraction‐quality crystals of Mm MVK were obtained by the vapour‐diffusion method using 0.32  M MgCl 2 , 0.08  M bis‐tris pH 5.5, 16%( w / v ) PEG 3350. The crystals belonged to space group P 2 1 2 1 2, with unit‐cell parameters a = 97.11, b = 135.92, c  = 46.03 Å. Diffraction data were collected to 2.08 Å resolution.