Abstract

Hemoglobin D (Hb D) from the Aldabra giant tortoise, Geochelone gigantea, was crystallized by the hanging drop vapor diffusion technique with a precipitant solution containing 10% polyethylene glycol 3350 and 50 mM HEPES-Na, pH 7.5. The Hb D crystals of G. gigantea, which diffract to at least a 2.0 Å resolution, belong to the monoclinic space group C2 with unit cell dimensions of a = 112.1 Å, b = 62.4 Å, c = 54.0 Å, and β = 110.3 . One αβ dimer molecule of Hb D existed in an asymmetric unit, with a calculated value of Vm of 2.77 Å3Da-1.

Keywords: hemoglobin d, crystallization, x-ray diffraction, reptilia, the aldabra giant tortoise, geochelone gigantea