title: A new view into prokaryotic cell biology from electron cryotomography.
abstract: Electron cryotomography (ECT) enables intact cells to be visualized in 3D in an essentially native state to 'macromolecular' (∼4 nm) resolution, revealing the basic architectures of complete nanomachines and their arrangements in situ. Since its inception, ECT has advanced our understanding of many aspects of prokaryotic cell biology, from morphogenesis to subcellular compartmentalization and from metabolism to complex interspecies interactions. In this Review, we highlight how ECT has provided structural and mechanistic insights into the physiology of bacteria and archaea and discuss prospects for the future.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Yi-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Grant J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted