Modern Methods of Protein Crystal Structure Determination and Structural Analysis of RNA Polymerase

X-ray structure analysis of macromolecules is an important tool used to study biological macromolecules. Here, we present a summary of crystallization and diffraction data collection methods that are applied in the process of structure determination. Then, structural characterisation of bacterial RNA polymerase, a multisubunit protein complex performing transcription of DNA into RNA, is reviewed. The aims and status of our experimental work focused on RNAp 3D structure determination are explained.