Crystallization of alpha and beta subunits of IF2 translation initiation factor from archaebacteria Sulfolobus solfataricus

Translation initiation factor 2 alpha (aIF2α) and beta (aIF2β) subunits from archaebacteria Sulfolobus solfataricus have been crystallized here for the first time. Indeed aIF2α small microcrystals of about 10-20 μm appeared with the thin film nanotemplate method, but not with the classical hanging-drop method. Similarly, under a polarization light microscope microcrystals of larger size (up to about 50-80 μm) of aIF2β were also obtained using the same procedure, but not with the classical hanging-drop method. We subsequently confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy the identification of the corresponding dissolved crystals as formed by the aIF2α and β proteins.