High-resolution electron cryomicroscopy of macromolecular assemblies.
Electron cryomicroscopy is a high-resolution imaging technique that is particularly appropriate for the structural determination of large macromolecular assemblies, which are difficult to study by X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy. For some biological molecules that form two-dimensional crystals, the application of electron cryomicroscopy and image reconstruction can help elucidate structures at atomic resolution. In instances where crystals cannot be formed, atomic-resolution information can be obtained by combining high-resolution structures of individual components determined by X-ray crystallography or NMR with image-derived reconstructions at moderate resolution. This can provide unique and crucial information on the mechanisms of these complexes. Finally, image reconstructions can be used to augment X-ray studies by providing initial models that facilitate phasing of crystals of large macromolecular machines such as ribosomes and viruses.
Chiu
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Verna and Marrs McLean Dept of Biochemistry and National Center for Macromolecular Imaging, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. wah@bcm.tmc.edu
McGough
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Sherman
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Schmid
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D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure
D046911:Macromolecular Substances