Abstract
A gene coding for a protein homologous to a translation initiation factor of eukaryotes, eIF5A, was cloned from Methanococcus jannaschii, a hyperthermophile with an optimum growth temperature of 85 degrees C. The protein was overexpressed, purified and crystallized. The crystals were obtained by vapor diffusion method with 8% PEG 4000 as precipitant and belong to space group P4(1)22 with unit cell dimensions a = b = 45.52 A and c = 155.59 A. These crystals diffract to at least 2.2 A resolution.