Crystallization and preliminary structural analysis of dibenzothiophene monooxygenase (DszC) from Rhodococcus erythropolis

Dibenzothiophene (DBT) and its derivatives are typical sulfur compounds found in fossil fuels. These compounds show resistance to the hydrodesulfuriz­ation treatment that is commonly used in industry. Dibenzothiophene monooxygenase (DszC) is responsible for the oxidation of DBT, which is the first and the rate-limiting step in the DBT enzymatic desulfurization 4S pathway. In this study, the crystal structure of DszC from Rhodococcus erythropolis DS-3 is reported. The crystal of native DszC belonged to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 96.16, b = 96.27, c = 98.56 Å, α = 81.03, β = 67.57, γ = 85.84°. To determine the phase, SAD X-ray diffraction data were collected from a SeMet-derivative DszC crystal, which also belonged to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 95.379, b = 95.167, c = 94.891 Å, α = 87.046, β = 70.536, γ = 79.738°. Further structural analysis of DszC is in progress.