Method of imaging low density lipoproteins by atomic force microscopy.
This short paper reports a simple method to image low density lipoproteins (LDL) using atomic force microscopy (AFM). This instrument allows imaging of biological samples in liquid and presents the advantage of needing no sample preparation such as staining or fixation that may affect their general structure. Dimensions (diameter and height) of individual LDL particles were successfully measured. AFM imaging revealed that LDL have a quasi-spherical structure on the x and y axis with an oblate spheroid structure in the z axis (i.e., height). LDLs were found to have an average diameter of 23 +/- 3 nm. The obtained mean height was 10 +/- 2 nm.
Laboratoire de Bioingénierie et de Biophysique de l'Université de Sherbrooke, Department of Chemical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Julie A
JA
Chouinard
Abdelouahed
A
Khalil
Patrick
P
Vermette
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL