Purification and Structural Characterization of P93 Complex from Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus profundus

An unusually large protein complex was found in the cytosol of the hyperthmophilic archaeon. Thermococcus profundus. The purified protein was shown to be a homomultimer of 93 kDa subunit (P93 complex). The complex is extremely heat stable. During 12 hrs incubation with SDS (final concentration 1%) at , no changed structure could be observed. Electron image analysis of negatively stained showed that the complex has a single, stable characteristic view and a well-preserved core with threefold rotational symmetry. The periphery of the assembly is composed of a nebulose, possibly flexible, component. Based on the projected structure suggest the P93 complex from T. profundus is composed 24 homomultimer.