Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Zucchini from Drosophila melanogaster

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) bind PIWI proteins and silence transposons to maintain the genomic integrity of germ cells. Zucchini (Zuc), a phospholipase D superfamily member, is conserved among animals and is implicated in piRNA biogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism by which Zuc participates in piRNA biogenesis remains elusive. Drosophila melanogaster Zuc (DmZuc) was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 1.75 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to space group P2₁, with unit-cell parameters a = 55.0, b = 71.2, c = 56.3 Å, β = 107.9°.