Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction data of mouse L-chain apoferritin crystals

Crystals of recombinant mouse L-chain apoferritin were obtained by the hanging-drop technique using ammonium sulfate as precipitant. Two crystal forms were observed in the same drop. The crystals belong to either the P2 monoclinic or to the P42₁2 tetragonal space group. The monoclinic crystals diffracted to beyond 2.4 Å resolution but were systematically twinned, while the tetragonal crystals diffracted to beyond 2.9 Å. These crystallization conditions in the absence of metal salts should facilitate the study of the interaction between L-chain ferritins and heavy metals, particularly the iron core.