Crystallization of a precursor penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli

The crystallization of a mutant precursor penicillin acylase [penicillin amidohydrolase (amidase) E.C. 3.5.1.11] from Escherichia coli W (ATCC 11105) using the hanging-drop method is reported. The crystals are in space group P1 with unit-cell parameters a = 51.04, b = 63.58, c = 71.17 Å, α = 103.0, β = 110.6, γ = 105.3°, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit, and diffract to 1.8 Å using synchrotron radiation.