Crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of the Methanothermus fervidus histones HMfA and HMfB

HMfA and HMfB are histone proteins from the thermophilic archaeon Methanothermus fervidus. They wrap DNA into nucleosome-like structures and appear to represent the basic core histone fold. HMfA was crystallized in space groups P4₂2₁2 and P2₁2₁2₁. HMfB crystallized in space group P2₁2₁2, while a selenomethionine-substituted variant, SeMet-HMfB, yielded crystals in C222₁. In all crystal forms HMfA, HMfB, or SeMet-HMfB may be present as homodimers.