The enzyme protein D-type aspartate-specific endopeptidase (Paenidase: PAE), research material used by Dr. Satoru Nirasawa (Senior Researcher of the Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) in the Food Value Chain Project was selected for the experiment on high-quality protein crystal growth “Crystallization experiment at 4°C : LTPCG (Low Temperature Protein Crystal Growth) #1” to be conducted on “Kibo”, the Japanese experimental module of the International Space Station (ISS).
The enzyme protein was mounted on Space-X's Dragon supply ship and launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA at 23:39 (Japan time) on February 19, 2017. This protein is a type of cell wall synthase that stereospecifically recognizes D-type aspartic acid present in peptides.
JIRCAS, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Akita Prefectural Food Research Center are conducting joint research with Peptide Institute, Inc. The experiment is aimed at obtaining high-resolution, high-quality crystals in the microgravity environment of ISS, in order to elucidate the fine molecular structure and reaction mechanism of the enzyme towards the development of new edible antibacterial agents and antibacterial action evaluation technologies for foods in the future.
Details at:
http://iss.jaxa.jp/kiboexp/news/170222_ltpcg.html
Update
The protein crystal samples acquired in the High-Quality Protein Crystal Growth Experiment conducted onboard the "Kibo" returned to earth. Details at the ISS/Kibo Times - Spring issue 2017 (http://iss.jaxa.jp/en/kibotimes/2017/spring_issue_2017.html).