Many are called but few are chosen: 20 years of crystallizing HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

Abstract

methylated proteins tend to diffract to higher resolution and show lower isotropic temperature factors. A number of well-ordered methylated lysines have been identified. Some lysine residues remain unmethylated or monomethylated although excess of reagents was used. These methylated residues make both inter-and intra-molecular contacts. We describe a detailed protocol, results, success rates and specific interactions in protein crystals that contribute to improved crystallization properties of some proteins.