title: Validation methods for low-resolution fitting of atomic structures to electron microscopy data.
abstract: Fitting of atomic-resolution structures into reconstructions from electron cryo-microscopy is routinely used to understand the structure and function of macromolecular machines. Despite the fact that a plethora of fitting methods has been developed over recent years, standard protocols for quality assessment and validation of these fits have not been established. Here, we present the general concepts underlying current validation ideas as they relate to fitting of atomic-resolution models into electron cryo-microscopy reconstructions, with an emphasis on reconstructions with resolutions below the sub-nanometer range.
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics and Structural Biology Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics and Structural Biology Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Electronic address: niels@sbmri.org.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Volkmann
mesh_terms: D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
keywords: Electron microscopy; Fitting; Validation