Crystallization and preliminary X‐ray diffraction studies of the cartilage link protein from bovine trachea

Cartilage extracellular matrix link protein, having molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa, is a metalloprotein that binds divalent cations and is only soluble in low ionic strength solutions. The link protein was purified from bovine trachea and has been crystallized by a vapor diffusion method using PEG 3350 as precipitant. The crystal symmetry is P 1, and the unit cell dimensions are a = 43.55, b = 53.11, c = 60.10 Å, α = 90.44, β = 106.21, γ = 101.51°. The V M of 1.8 Å 3 /Da is consistent with the presence of two molecules of the link protein in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract X‐rays from a synchrotron source to 1.7 Å resolution. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.