In vitro crystallization of ribosomes from chick embryos

Abstract

A new two-dimensional ribosome crystal, having the tetragonal space group P4212 (a = 593 Å), has been grown from ribosome tetramers extracted from hypothermic chick embryos. It is of particular interest because of its larger size (up to 3 x 3µm2) and greater stability compared to other related polymorphic forms, and because it can easily be grown in large amounts. X-ray diffraction shows the order in the crystal to extend to a resolution of at least 60 Å. The crystalline ribosomes appear to contain a full complement of small and large ribosomal subunit proteins and an additional four proteins not characteristic of chick embryo polysomes. © 1982, Rockefeller University Press., All rights reserved.