Structure of immunoglobulin G by scanning tunnelling microscopy.
Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) has been used to examine the shape of individual immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules deposited onto a graphite surface. IgG was chosen for this study as it has a well-characterized and distinctive three-dimensional structure. The micrographs clearly reveal the IgG molecule as trilobed, corresponding with the known structural organization of IgG. Comparison of these images with the structure of IgG determined by X-ray crystallography shows that the STM images are consistent with the crystal structure. This illustrates that STM is a valuable technique for examining protein structure, allowing rapid determination of the overall molecular shape that is consistent with more established techniques.
Leatherbarrow
R J
RJ
Department of Chemistry, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine South Kensington, London, U.K.
Stedman
M
M
Wells
T N
TN
D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling; D011487:Protein Conformation; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D007074:Immunoglobulin G