Single crystals of 5S rRNA from Thermus thermophilus HB8 and preliminary X-ray diffraction data.

5S rRNA from extremely thermophilic bacteria, Thermus thermophilus HB8, was crystallized. Using a vapour diffusion method, single crystals were grown with sufficient sizes for x-ray diffraction study. The crystals belong to space group P3(1)21 (or enatiomorph P3(2)21) with a = 99 A, b = 99 A and c = 360 A. A unit cell contains probably 36 molecules corresponding to 6 molecules/asymmetric unit. A smaller pseudo-lattice seems to be constructed with the same lengths for a- and b-axis, and 120 A for c-axis. Reflections were observed up to 25 A on x-ray photographs.