Crystallization and X-ray diffraction data of a tRNA(Sec) acceptor-stem helix

tRNA(Sec) is a UGA suppressor tRNA which co-translationally inserts selenoc ysteine into proteins. Its eight-base-pair tRNA(Sec) acceptor stem, which c ontains key recognition elements, was synthesized using solid-phase phospho ramidite RNA chemistry. High-resolution X-ray diffraction data were collect ed using synchrotron radiation under cryogenic cooling conditions. The crys tals diffract to a maximal resolution of 1.8 Angstrom. X-ray diffraction da ta were processed to 2.4 Angstrom. tRNA(Sec) microhelix crystallizes in spa ce group R32, with cell constants a = 47.02, b = 47.02, c = 373.03 Angstrom , alpha = B = 90, gamma = 120 degrees. The crystals contain three RNA molec ules per asymmetric unit.