Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of VLDL-R. A recombinant soluble fragment protein was expressed encompassing repeats 1–3 fused via their N-terminus to maltose binding protein. Repeats 1–3 were cleaved from the fusion partner by factor Xa. The amino acid sequence of part of the fusion protein and of the individual repeats 1–3 are given, and the cleavage sites for factor Xa and for an unidentified bacterial protease (BP) are indicated. Acidic amino acids are shaded black and cysteines are shaded grey. The molecular weight of the entire fusion protein is 59 kDa and of V1–3, including the His₆ tag, is 17 kDa. Acidic amino acids involved in Ca²⁺ coordination are indicated (#).