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Yuan T, Zhan W, Terzano M, Holzapfel GA, Dini D. A comprehensive review on modeling aspects of infusion-based drug delivery in the brain. Acta Biomater 2024:S1742-7061(24)00387-8. [PMID: 39032668 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Brain disorders represent an ever-increasing health challenge worldwide. While conventional drug therapies are less effective due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier, infusion-based methods of drug delivery to the brain represent a promising option. Since these methods are mechanically controlled and involve multiple physical phases ranging from the neural and molecular scales to the brain scale, highly efficient and precise delivery procedures can significantly benefit from a comprehensive understanding of drug-brain and device-brain interactions. Behind these interactions are principles of biophysics and biomechanics that can be described and captured using mathematical models. Although biomechanics and biophysics have received considerable attention, a comprehensive mechanistic model for modeling infusion-based drug delivery in the brain has yet to be developed. Therefore, this article reviews the state-of-the-art mechanistic studies that can support the development of next-generation models for infusion-based brain drug delivery from the perspective of fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and mathematical modeling. The supporting techniques and database are also summarized to provide further insights. Finally, the challenges are highlighted and perspectives on future research directions are provided. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the immense potential of infusion-based drug delivery methods for bypassing the blood-brain barrier and efficiently delivering drugs to the brain, achieving optimal drug distribution remains a significant challenge. This is primarily due to our limited understanding of the complex interactions between drugs and the brain that are governed by principles of biophysics and biomechanics, and can be described using mathematical models. This article provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art mechanistic studies that can help to unravel the mechanism of drug transport in the brain across the scales, which underpins the development of next-generation models for infusion-based brain drug delivery. More broadly, this review will serve as a starting point for developing more effective treatments for brain diseases and mechanistic models that can be used to study other soft tissue and biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Wenbo Zhan
- School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Michele Terzano
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Austria
| | - Gerhard A Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Austria; Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Daniele Dini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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2
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Tuijtel MW, Cruz-León S, Kreysing JP, Welsch S, Hummer G, Beck M, Turoňová B. Thinner is not always better: Optimizing cryo-lamellae for subtomogram averaging. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk6285. [PMID: 38669330 PMCID: PMC11051657 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk6285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is a powerful method to elucidate subcellular architecture and to structurally analyze biomolecules in situ by subtomogram averaging, yet data quality critically depends on specimen thickness. Cells that are too thick for transmission imaging can be thinned into lamellae by cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling. Despite being a crucial parameter directly affecting attainable resolution, optimal lamella thickness has not been systematically investigated nor the extent of structural damage caused by gallium ions used for FIB milling. We thus systematically determined how resolution is affected by these parameters. We find that ion-induced damage does not affect regions more than 30 nanometers from either lamella surface and that up to ~180-nanometer lamella thickness does not negatively affect resolution. This shows that there is no need to generate very thin lamellae and lamella thickness can be chosen such that it captures cellular features of interest, thereby opening cryo-ET also for studies of large complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten W. Tuijtel
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sergio Cruz-León
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jan Philipp Kreysing
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- IMPRS on Cellular Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sonja Welsch
- Central Electron Microscopy Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Beck
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Beata Turoňová
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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3
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Last MGF, Voortman LM, Sharp TH. Imaging intracellular components in situ using super-resolution cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 187:223-248. [PMID: 38705626 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Super-resolution cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (SRcryoCLEM) is emerging as a powerful method to enable targeted in situ structural studies of biological samples. By combining the high specificity and localization accuracy of single-molecule localization microscopy (cryoSMLM) with the high resolution of cryo-electron tomography (cryoET), this method enables accurately targeted data acquisition and the observation and identification of biomolecules within their natural cellular context. Despite its potential, the adaptation of SRcryoCLEM has been hindered by the need for specialized equipment and expertise. In this chapter, we outline a workflow for cryoSMLM and cryoET-based SRcryoCLEM, and we demonstrate that, given the right tools, it is possible to incorporate cryoSMLM into an established cryoET workflow. Using Vimentin as an exemplary target of interest, we demonstrate all stages of an SRcryoCLEM experiment: performing cryoSMLM, targeting cryoET acquisition based on single-molecule localization maps, and correlation of cryoSMLM and cryoET datasets using scNodes, a software package dedicated to SRcryoCLEM. By showing how SRcryoCLEM enables the imaging of specific intracellular components in situ, we hope to facilitate adoption of the technique within the field of cryoEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mart G F Last
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lenard M Voortman
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas H Sharp
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
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4
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McLaughlin MR, Weaver SA, Syed F, Evans-Molina C. Advanced Imaging Techniques for the Characterization of Subcellular Organelle Structure in Pancreatic Islet β Cells. Compr Physiol 2023; 14:5243-5267. [PMID: 38158370 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c230002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects more than 32.3 million individuals in the United States, creating an economic burden of nearly $966 billion in 2021. T2D results from a combination of insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion from the pancreatic β cell. However, genetic and physiologic data indicate that defects in β cell function are the chief determinant of whether an individual with insulin resistance will progress to a diagnosis of T2D. The subcellular organelles of the insulin secretory pathway, including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and secretory granules, play a critical role in maintaining the heavy biosynthetic burden of insulin production, processing, and secretion. In addition, the mitochondria enable the process of insulin release by integrating the metabolism of nutrients into energy output. Advanced imaging techniques are needed to determine how changes in the structure and composition of these organelles contribute to the loss of insulin secretory capacity in the β cell during T2D. Several microscopy techniques, including electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and soft X-ray tomography, have been utilized to investigate the structure-function relationship within the β cell. In this overview article, we will detail the methodology, strengths, and weaknesses of each approach. © 2024 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 14:5243-5267, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline R McLaughlin
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Staci A Weaver
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- The Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Farooq Syed
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- The Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Carmella Evans-Molina
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- The Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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5
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Liu Y, Zhai H, Alemayehu H, Boulanger J, Hopkins LJ, Borgeaud AC, Heroven C, Howe JD, Leigh KE, Bryant CE, Modis Y. Cryo-electron tomography of NLRP3-activated ASC complexes reveals organelle co-localization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7246. [PMID: 37945612 PMCID: PMC10636019 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
NLRP3 induces caspase-1-dependent pyroptotic cell death to drive inflammation. Aberrant activity of NLRP3 occurs in many human diseases. NLRP3 activation induces ASC polymerization into a single, micron-scale perinuclear punctum. Higher resolution imaging of this signaling platform is needed to understand how it induces pyroptosis. Here, we apply correlative cryo-light microscopy and cryo-electron tomography to visualize ASC/caspase-1 in NLRP3-activated cells. The puncta are composed of branched ASC filaments, with a tubular core formed by the pyrin domain. Ribosomes and Golgi-like or endosomal vesicles permeate the filament network, consistent with roles for these organelles in NLRP3 activation. Mitochondria are not associated with ASC but have outer-membrane discontinuities the same size as gasdermin D pores, consistent with our data showing gasdermin D associates with mitochondria and contributes to mitochondrial depolarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangci Liu
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Haoming Zhai
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Helen Alemayehu
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Jérôme Boulanger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Lee J Hopkins
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Box 157, Level 5, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
- Wren Therapeutics, Clarendon House, Clarendon Road, Cambridge, CB2 8FH, UK
| | - Alicia C Borgeaud
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christina Heroven
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Division of Structural Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Jonathan D Howe
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Kendra E Leigh
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Clare E Bryant
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Box 157, Level 5, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.
| | - Yorgo Modis
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK.
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6
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Pavathuparambil Abdul Manaph N, Ltaief SM, Nour-Eldine W, Ponraj J, Agcaoili J, Mansour S, Al-Shammari AR. An optimized protocol for the preparation of blood immune cells for transmission electron microscopy. Micron 2023; 173:103517. [PMID: 37556900 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful technique that enables visualization of structural details inside cells. Prior to TEM imaging, biological samples must undergo several preparation steps that are optimized according to the sample type. Currently, there are limited protocols for the preparation of blood samples for TEM imaging. Here, we provide a detailed step-by-step method for preparing blood samples for TEM imaging. This protocol enables robust visualization of the ultrastructures of blood immune cells. In addition, we describe the typical cellular features that can be used to distinguish between different immune cells in the blood, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. This protocol is useful for studying ultrastructural changes in blood immune cells under various physiological and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samia M Ltaief
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wared Nour-Eldine
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - John Agcaoili
- Core Labs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Mansour
- Core Labs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abeer R Al-Shammari
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
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7
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Zeng Y, Liang Z, Liu Z, Li B, Cui Y, Gao C, Shen J, Wang X, Zhao Q, Zhuang X, Erdmann PS, Wong KB, Jiang L. Recent advances in plant endomembrane research and new microscopical techniques. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 240:41-60. [PMID: 37507353 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The endomembrane system consists of various membrane-bound organelles including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, trans-Golgi network (TGN), endosomes, and the lysosome/vacuole. Membrane trafficking between distinct compartments is mainly achieved by vesicular transport. As the endomembrane compartments and the machineries regulating the membrane trafficking are largely conserved across all eukaryotes, our current knowledge on organelle biogenesis and endomembrane trafficking in plants has mainly been shaped by corresponding studies in mammals and yeast. However, unique perspectives have emerged from plant cell biology research through the characterization of plant-specific regulators as well as the development and application of the state-of-the-art microscopical techniques. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on the plant endomembrane system, with a focus on several distinct pathways: ER-to-Golgi transport, protein sorting at the TGN, endosomal sorting on multivesicular bodies, vacuolar trafficking/vacuole biogenesis, and the autophagy pathway. We also give an update on advanced imaging techniques for the plant cell biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglun Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zizhen Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhiqi Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Baiying Li
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Caiji Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant Development, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Jinbo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Xiangfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhuang
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Philipp S Erdmann
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, Milan, I-20157, Italy
| | - Kam-Bo Wong
- Centre for Protein Science and Crystallography, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liwen Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell & Developmental Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
- The CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China
- Institute of Plant Molecular Biology and Agricultural Biotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
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8
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Nguyen N, Bohak C, Engel D, Mindek P, Strnad O, Wonka P, Li S, Ropinski T, Viola I. Finding Nano-Ötzi: Cryo-Electron Tomography Visualization Guided by Learned Segmentation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2023; 29:4198-4214. [PMID: 35749328 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2022.3186146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is a new 3D imaging technique with unprecedented potential for resolving submicron structural details. Existing volume visualization methods, however, are not able to reveal details of interest due to low signal-to-noise ratio. In order to design more powerful transfer functions, we propose leveraging soft segmentation as an explicit component of visualization for noisy volumes. Our technical realization is based on semi-supervised learning, where we combine the advantages of two segmentation algorithms. First, the weak segmentation algorithm provides good results for propagating sparse user-provided labels to other voxels in the same volume and is used to generate dense pseudo-labels. Second, the powerful deep-learning-based segmentation algorithm learns from these pseudo-labels to generalize the segmentation to other unseen volumes, a task that the weak segmentation algorithm fails at completely. The proposed volume visualization uses deep-learning-based segmentation as a component for segmentation-aware transfer function design. Appropriate ramp parameters can be suggested automatically through frequency distribution analysis. Furthermore, our visualization uses gradient-free ambient occlusion shading to further suppress the visual presence of noise, and to give structural detail the desired prominence. The cryo-ET data studied in our technical experiments are based on the highest-quality tilted series of intact SARS-CoV-2 virions. Our technique shows the high impact in target sciences for visual data analysis of very noisy volumes that cannot be visualized with existing techniques.
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Chen EHL, Wang CH, Liao YT, Chan FY, Kanaoka Y, Uchihashi T, Kato K, Lai L, Chang YW, Ho MC, Chen RPY. Visualizing the membrane disruption action of antimicrobial peptides by cryo-electron tomography. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5464. [PMID: 37673860 PMCID: PMC10482868 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41156-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The abuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant microbial pathogens, presenting a pressing challenge in global healthcare. Membrane-disrupting antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) combat so-called superbugs via mechanisms different than conventional antibiotics and have good application prospects in medicine, agriculture, and the food industry. However, the mechanism-of-action of AMPs has not been fully characterized at the cellular level due to a lack of high-resolution imaging technologies that can capture cellular-membrane disruption events in the hydrated state. Previously, we reported PepD2M, a de novo-designed AMP with potent and wide-spectrum bactericidal and fungicidal activity. In this study, we use cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) and high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to directly visualize the pepD2M-induced disruption of the outer and inner membranes of the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, and compared with a well-known pore-forming peptide, melittin. Our high-resolution cryo-ET images reveal how pepD2M disrupts the E. coli membrane using a carpet/detergent-like mechanism. Our studies reveal the direct membrane-disrupting consequence of AMPs on the bacterial membrane by cryo-ET, and this information provides critical insights into the mechanisms of this class of antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric H-L Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiung Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Liao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yueh Chan
- Department of Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Yui Kanaoka
- Department of Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
| | - Takayuki Uchihashi
- Department of Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Koichi Kato
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Institute for Molecular Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Longsheng Lai
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6059, USA
| | - Yi-Wei Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6059, USA
| | - Meng-Chiao Ho
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
| | - Rita P-Y Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
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10
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Rice G, Wagner T, Stabrin M, Sitsel O, Prumbaum D, Raunser S. TomoTwin: generalized 3D localization of macromolecules in cryo-electron tomograms with structural data mining. Nat Methods 2023:10.1038/s41592-023-01878-z. [PMID: 37188953 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cryogenic-electron tomography enables the visualization of cellular environments in extreme detail, however, tools to analyze the full amount of information contained within these densely packed volumes are still needed. Detailed analysis of macromolecules through subtomogram averaging requires particles to first be localized within the tomogram volume, a task complicated by several factors including a low signal to noise ratio and crowding of the cellular space. Available methods for this task suffer either from being error prone or requiring manual annotation of training data. To assist in this crucial particle picking step, we present TomoTwin: an open source general picking model for cryogenic-electron tomograms based on deep metric learning. By embedding tomograms in an information-rich, high-dimensional space that separates macromolecules according to their three-dimensional structure, TomoTwin allows users to identify proteins in tomograms de novo without manually creating training data or retraining the network to locate new proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Rice
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Thorsten Wagner
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Markus Stabrin
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Oleg Sitsel
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Prumbaum
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany.
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11
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Kim HHS, Uddin MR, Xu M, Chang YW. Computational Methods Toward Unbiased Pattern Mining and Structure Determination in Cryo-Electron Tomography Data. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168068. [PMID: 37003470 PMCID: PMC10164694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography can uniquely probe the native cellular environment for macromolecular structures. Tomograms feature complex data with densities of diverse, densely crowded macromolecular complexes, low signal-to-noise, and artifacts such as the missing wedge effect. Post-processing of this data generally involves isolating regions or particles of interest from tomograms, organizing them into related groups, and rendering final structures through subtomogram averaging. Template-matching and reference-based structure determination are popular analysis methods but are vulnerable to biases and can often require significant user input. Most importantly, these approaches cannot identify novel complexes that reside within the imaged cellular environment. To reliably extract and resolve structures of interest, efficient and unbiased approaches are therefore of great value. This review highlights notable computational software and discusses how they contribute to making automated structural pattern discovery a possibility. Perspectives emphasizing the importance of features for user-friendliness and accessibility are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hyun-Sook Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. https://twitter.com/hannahinthelab
| | - Mostofa Rafid Uddin
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. https://twitter.com/duran_rafid
| | - Min Xu
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Yi-Wei Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Barad BA, Medina M, Fuentes D, Wiseman RL, Grotjahn DA. Quantifying organellar ultrastructure in cryo-electron tomography using a surface morphometrics pipeline. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202204093. [PMID: 36786771 PMCID: PMC9960335 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202204093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) enables three-dimensional reconstructions of organelles in their native cellular environment at subnanometer resolution. However, quantifying ultrastructural features of pleomorphic organelles in three dimensions is challenging, as is defining the significance of observed changes induced by specific cellular perturbations. To address this challenge, we established a semiautomated workflow to segment organellar membranes and reconstruct their underlying surface geometry in cryo-ET. To complement this workflow, we developed an open-source suite of ultrastructural quantifications, integrated into a single pipeline called the surface morphometrics pipeline. This pipeline enables rapid modeling of complex membrane structures and allows detailed mapping of inter- and intramembrane spacing, curvedness, and orientation onto reconstructed membrane meshes, highlighting subtle organellar features that are challenging to detect in three dimensions and allowing for statistical comparison across many organelles. To demonstrate the advantages of this approach, we combine cryo-ET with cryo-fluorescence microscopy to correlate bulk mitochondrial network morphology (i.e., elongated versus fragmented) with membrane ultrastructure of individual mitochondria in the presence and absence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Using our pipeline, we demonstrate ER stress promotes adaptive remodeling of ultrastructural features of mitochondria including spacing between the inner and outer membranes, local curvedness of the inner membrane, and spacing between mitochondrial cristae. We show that differences in membrane ultrastructure correlate to mitochondrial network morphologies, suggesting that these two remodeling events are coupled. Our pipeline offers opportunities for quantifying changes in membrane ultrastructure on a single-cell level using cryo-ET, opening new opportunities to define changes in ultrastructural features induced by diverse types of cellular perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A. Barad
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michaela Medina
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Fuentes
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - R. Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Danielle A. Grotjahn
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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13
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Yee NBY, Ho EML, Tun W, Smith JLR, Dumoux M, Grange M, Darrow MC, Basham M. Ot2Rec: A semi-automatic, extensible, multi-software tomographic reconstruction workflow. BIOLOGICAL IMAGING 2023; 3:e10. [PMID: 38487693 PMCID: PMC10936412 DOI: 10.1017/s2633903x23000107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Electron cryo-tomography is an imaging technique for probing 3D structures with at the nanometer scale. This technique has been used extensively in the biomedical field to study the complex structures of proteins and other macromolecules. With the advancement in technology, microscopes are currently capable of producing images amounting to terabytes of data per day, posing great challenges for scientists as the speed of processing of the images cannot keep up with the ever-higher throughput of the microscopes. Therefore, automation is an essential and natural pathway on which image processing-from individual micrographs to full tomograms-is developing. In this paper, we present Ot2Rec, an open-source pipelining tool which aims to enable scientists to build their own processing workflows in a flexible and automatic manner. The basic building blocks of Ot2Rec are plugins which follow a unified application programming interface structure, making it simple for scientists to contribute to Ot2Rec by adding features which are not already available. In this paper, we also present three case studies of image processing using Ot2Rec, through which we demonstrate the speedup of using a semi-automatic workflow over a manual one, the possibility of writing and using custom (prototype) plugins, and the flexibility of Ot2Rec which enables the mix-and-match of plugins. We also demonstrate, in the Supplementary Material, a built-in reporting feature in Ot2Rec which aggregates the metadata from all process being run, and output them in the Jupyter Notebook and/or HTML formats for quick review of image processing quality. Ot2Rec can be found at https://github.com/rosalindfranklininstitute/ot2rec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neville B.-Y. Yee
- Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine M. L. Ho
- Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Win Tun
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Jake L. R. Smith
- Structural Biology, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maud Dumoux
- Structural Biology, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Grange
- Structural Biology, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michele C. Darrow
- Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
- SPT Labtech, Melbourn, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Basham
- Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Didcot, United Kingdom
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14
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Bernardini A, Trovatelli M, Kłosowski MM, Pederzani M, Zani DD, Brizzola S, Porter A, Rodriguez Y Baena F, Dini D. Reconstruction of ovine axonal cytoarchitecture enables more accurate models of brain biomechanics. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1101. [PMID: 36253409 PMCID: PMC9576772 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04052-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increased need and focus to understand how local brain microstructure affects the transport of drug molecules directly administered to the brain tissue, for example in convection-enhanced delivery procedures. This study reports a systematic attempt to characterize the cytoarchitecture of commissural, long association and projection fibres, namely the corpus callosum, the fornix and the corona radiata, with the specific aim to map different regions of the tissue and provide essential information for the development of accurate models of brain biomechanics. Ovine samples are imaged using scanning electron microscopy combined with focused ion beam milling to generate 3D volume reconstructions of the tissue at subcellular spatial resolution. Focus is placed on the characteristic cytological feature of the white matter: the axons and their alignment in the tissue. For each tract, a 3D reconstruction of relatively large volumes, including a significant number of axons, is performed and outer axonal ellipticity, outer axonal cross-sectional area and their relative perimeter are measured. The study of well-resolved microstructural features provides useful insight into the fibrous organization of the tissue, whose micromechanical behaviour is that of a composite material presenting elliptical tortuous tubular axonal structures embedded in the extra-cellular matrix. Drug flow can be captured through microstructurally-based models using 3D volumes, either reconstructed directly from images or generated in silico using parameters extracted from the database of images, leading to a workflow to enable physically-accurate simulations of drug delivery to the targeted tissue. Imaging and reconstruction of sheep brain axonal cytoarchitecture provides insight for brain biomechanics models that simulate drug delivery and other biological processes governed by interstitial fluid flow and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bernardini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Marco Trovatelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Statale, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Pederzani
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Danilo Zani
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Statale, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Stefano Brizzola
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano Statale, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Alexandra Porter
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Daniele Dini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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15
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Gold nanomaterials and their potential use as cryo-electron tomography labels. J Struct Biol 2022; 214:107880. [PMID: 35809758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2022.107880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rapid advances in cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) are driving a revolution in cellular structural biology. However, unambiguous identification of specific biomolecules within cellular tomograms remains challenging. Overcoming this obstacle and reliably identifying targets in the crowded cellular environment is of major importance for the understanding of cellular function and is a pre-requisite for high-resolution structural analysis. The use of highly-specific, readily visualised and adjustable labels would help mitigate this issue, improving both data quality and sample throughput. While progress has been made in cryo-CLEM and in the development of cloneable high-density tags, technical issues persist and a robust 'cryo-GFP' remains elusive. Readily-synthesized gold nanomaterials conjugated to small 'affinity modules' may represent a solution. The synthesis of materials including gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is increasingly well understood and is now within the capabilities of non-specialist laboratories. The remarkable chemical and photophysical properties of <3nm diameter nanomaterials and their emergence as tools with widespread biomedical application presents significant opportunities to the cryo-microscopy community. In this review, we will outline developments in the synthesis, functionalisation and labelling uses of both AuNPs and AuNCs in cryo-ET, while discussing their potential as multi-modal probes for cryo-CLEM.
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16
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At the Intersection of Natural Structural Coloration and Bioengineering. Biomimetics (Basel) 2022; 7:biomimetics7020066. [PMID: 35645193 PMCID: PMC9149877 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7020066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of us get inspired by and interact with the world around us based on visual cues such as the colors and patterns that we see. In nature, coloration takes three primary forms: pigmentary coloration, structural coloration, and bioluminescence. Typically, pigmentary and structural coloration are used by animals and plants for their survival; however, few organisms are able to capture the nearly instantaneous and visually astounding display that cephalopods (e.g., octopi, squid, and cuttlefish) exhibit. Notably, the structural coloration of these cephalopods critically relies on a unique family of proteins known as reflectins. As a result, there is growing interest in characterizing the structure and function of such optically-active proteins (e.g., reflectins) and to leverage these materials across a broad range of disciplines, including bioengineering. In this review, I begin by briefly introducing pigmentary and structural coloration in animals and plants as well as highlighting the extraordinary appearance-changing capabilities of cephalopods. Next, I outline recent advances in the characterization and utilization of reflectins for photonic technologies and and discuss general strategies and limitations for the structural and optical characterization of proteins. Finally, I explore future directions of study for optically-active proteins and their potential applications. Altogether, this review aims to bring together an interdisciplinary group of researchers who can resolve the fundamental questions regarding the structure, function, and self-assembly of optically-active protein-based materials.
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17
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Liedtke J, Depelteau JS, Briegel A. How advances in cryo-electron tomography have contributed to our current view of bacterial cell biology. J Struct Biol X 2022; 6:100065. [PMID: 35252838 PMCID: PMC8894267 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2022.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in the field of cryo-electron tomography have greatly contributed to our current understanding of prokaryotic cell organization and revealed intracellular structures with remarkable architecture. In this review, we present some of the prominent advancements in cryo-electron tomography, illustrated by a subset of structural examples to demonstrate the power of the technique. More specifically, we focus on technical advances in automation of data collection and processing, sample thinning approaches, correlative cryo-light and electron microscopy, and sub-tomogram averaging methods. In turn, each of these advances enabled new insights into bacterial cell architecture, cell cycle progression, and the structure and function of molecular machines. Taken together, these significant advances within the cryo-electron tomography workflow have led to a greater understanding of prokaryotic biology. The advances made the technique available to a wider audience and more biological questions and provide the basis for continued advances in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Liedtke
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie S Depelteau
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ariane Briegel
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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18
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Ma H, Jia X, Zhang K, Su Z. Cryo-EM advances in RNA structure determination. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:58. [PMID: 35197441 PMCID: PMC8864457 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as an unprecedented tool to resolve protein structures at atomic resolution. Structural insights of biological samples not accessible by conventional X-ray crystallography and NMR can be explored with cryo-EM because measurements are carried out under near-native crystal-free conditions, and large protein complexes with conformational and compositional heterogeneity are readily resolved. RNA has remained underexplored in cryo-EM, despite its essential role in various biological processes. This review highlights current challenges and recent progress in using cryo-EM single-particle analysis to determine protein-free RNA structures, enabled by improvement in sample preparation and integration of multiple structural and biochemical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610044, China
| | - Xinyu Jia
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610044, China
| | - Kaiming Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics and Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Zhaoming Su
- The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Geriatrics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610044, China.
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19
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Boltje DB, Hoogenboom JP, Jakobi AJ, Jensen GJ, Jonker CTH, Kaag MJ, Koster AJ, Last MGF, de Agrela Pinto C, Plitzko JM, Raunser S, Tacke S, Wang Z, van der Wee EB, Wepf R, den Hoedt S. A cryogenic, coincident fluorescence, electron, and ion beam microscope. eLife 2022; 11:82891. [PMID: 36305590 PMCID: PMC9714966 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET) combined with subtomogram averaging, allows in situ visualization and structure determination of macromolecular complexes at subnanometre resolution. Cryogenic focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) micromachining is used to prepare a thin lamella-shaped sample out of a frozen-hydrated cell for cryo-ET imaging, but standard cryo-FIB fabrication is blind to the precise location of the structure or proteins of interest. Fluorescence-guided focused ion beam (FIB) milling at target locations requires multiple sample transfers prone to contamination, and relocation and registration accuracy is often insufficient for 3D targeting. Here, we present in situ fluorescence microscopy-guided FIB fabrication of a frozen-hydrated lamella to address this problem: we built a coincident three-beam cryogenic correlative microscope by retrofitting a compact cryogenic microcooler, custom positioning stage, and an inverted widefield fluorescence microscope (FM) on an existing FIB scanning electron microscope. We show FM controlled targeting at every milling step in the lamella fabrication process, validated with transmission electron microscope tomogram reconstructions of the target regions. The ability to check the lamella during and after the milling process results in a higher success rate in the fabrication process and will increase the throughput of fabrication for lamellae suitable for high-resolution imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan B Boltje
- Department of Imaging Physic, Delft University of TechnologyDelftNetherlands,Delmic B.VDelftNetherlands
| | - Jacob P Hoogenboom
- Department of Imaging Physic, Delft University of TechnologyDelftNetherlands
| | - Arjen J Jakobi
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of TechnologyDelftNetherlands
| | - Grant J Jensen
- California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States,Brigham Young UniversityProvoUnited States
| | | | - Max J Kaag
- Department of Imaging Physic, Delft University of TechnologyDelftNetherlands
| | - Abraham J Koster
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Mart GF Last
- Delmic B.VDelftNetherlands,Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | | | - Jürgen M Plitzko
- CryoEM Technology, Max Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyDortmundGermany
| | - Sebastian Tacke
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyDortmundGermany
| | - Zhexin Wang
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyDortmundGermany
| | | | - Roger Wepf
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
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20
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Cagigas ML, Bryce NS, Ariotti N, Brayford S, Gunning PW, Hardeman EC. Correlative cryo-ET identifies actin/tropomyosin filaments that mediate cell-substrate adhesion in cancer cells and mechanosensitivity of cell proliferation. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:120-128. [PMID: 34518666 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01087-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is the primary driver of cellular adhesion and mechanosensing due to its ability to generate force and sense the stiffness of the environment. At the cell's leading edge, severing of the protruding Arp2/3 actin network generates a specific actin/tropomyosin (Tpm) filament population that controls lamellipodial persistence. The interaction between these filaments and adhesion to the environment is unknown. Using cellular cryo-electron tomography we resolve the ultrastructure of the Tpm/actin copolymers and show that they specifically anchor to nascent adhesions and are essential for focal adhesion assembly. Re-expression of Tpm1.8/1.9 in transformed and cancer cells is sufficient to restore cell-substrate adhesions. We demonstrate that knock-out of Tpm1.8/1.9 disrupts the formation of dorsal actin bundles, hindering the recruitment of α-actinin and non-muscle myosin IIa, critical mechanosensors. This loss causes a force-generation and proliferation defect that is notably reversed when cells are grown on soft surfaces. We conclude that Tpm1.8/1.9 suppress the metastatic phenotype, which may explain why transformed cells naturally downregulate this Tpm subset during malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lastra Cagigas
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole S Bryce
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas Ariotti
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Electron Microscope Unit, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simon Brayford
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter W Gunning
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Edna C Hardeman
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Saibil HR. Cryo-EM in molecular and cellular biology. Mol Cell 2022; 82:274-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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22
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Abstract
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has spurred research in the biology of the nidovirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Much focus has been on the viral RNA synthesis machinery due to its fundamental role in viral propagation. The central and essential enzyme of the RNA synthesis process, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), functions in conjunction with a coterie of viral-encoded enzymes that mediate crucial nucleic acid transactions. Some of these enzymes share common features with other RNA viruses, while others play roles unique to nidoviruses or CoVs. The RdRps are proven targets for viral pathogens, and many of the other nucleic acid processing enzymes are promising targets. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of RNA synthesis in CoVs. By reflecting on these studies, we hope to emphasize the remaining gaps in our knowledge. The recent onslaught of structural information related to SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis, in combination with previous structural, genetic and biochemical studies, have vastly improved our understanding of how CoVs replicate and process their genomic RNA. Structural biology not only provides a blueprint for understanding the function of the enzymes and cofactors in molecular detail, but also provides a basis for drug design and optimization. The concerted efforts of researchers around the world, in combination with the renewed urgency toward understanding this deadly family of viruses, may eventually yield new and improved antivirals that provide relief to the current global devastation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Malone
- The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States
| | | | - Seth A Darst
- The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States.
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23
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Davis MM, Lamichhane R, Bruce BD. Elucidating Protein Translocon Dynamics with Single-Molecule Precision. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 31:569-583. [PMID: 33865650 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Translocons are protein assemblies that facilitate the targeting and transport of proteins into and across biological membranes. Our understanding of these systems has been advanced using genetics, biochemistry, and structural biology. Despite these classic advances, until recently we have still largely lacked a detailed understanding of how translocons recognize and facilitate protein translocation. With the advent and improvements of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle analysis and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, the details of how translocons function are finally emerging. Here, we introduce these methods and evaluate their importance in understanding translocon structure, function, and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Barry D Bruce
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Graduate Program in Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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24
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An overview of the recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy for life sciences. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:151-168. [PMID: 33760078 DOI: 10.1042/etls20200295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM) has superseded X-ray crystallography and NMR to emerge as a popular and effective tool for structure determination in recent times. It has become indispensable for the characterization of large macromolecular assemblies, membrane proteins, or samples that are limited, conformationally heterogeneous, and recalcitrant to crystallization. Besides, it is the only tool capable of elucidating high-resolution structures of macromolecules and biological assemblies in situ. A state-of-the-art electron microscope operable at cryo-temperature helps preserve high-resolution details of the biological sample. The structures can be determined, either in isolation via single-particle analysis (SPA) or helical reconstruction, electron diffraction (ED) or within the cellular environment via cryo-electron tomography (cryoET). All the three streams of SPA, ED, and cryoET (along with subtomogram averaging) have undergone significant advancements in recent times. This has resulted in breaking the boundaries with respect to both the size of the macromolecules/assemblies whose structures could be determined along with the visualization of atomic details at resolutions unprecedented for cryoEM. In addition, the collection of larger datasets combined with the ability to sort and process multiple conformational states from the same sample are providing the much-needed link between the protein structures and their functions. In overview, these developments are helping scientists decipher the molecular mechanism of critical cellular processes, solve structures of macromolecules that were challenging targets for structure determination until now, propelling forward the fields of biology and biomedicine. Here, we summarize recent advances and key contributions of the three cryo-electron microscopy streams of SPA, ED, and cryoET.
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Liu Z, Gao J, Cui Y, Klumpe S, Xiang Y, Erdmann PS, Jiang L. Membrane imaging in the plant endomembrane system. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 185:562-576. [PMID: 33793889 PMCID: PMC8133680 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies on membrane imaging in the plant endomembrane system by 2-D/3-D CLSM and TEM provide future perspectives of whole-cell ET and cryo-FIB-aided cryo-ET analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Jiayang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Sven Klumpe
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yun Xiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Philipp S Erdmann
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Liwen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
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New approaches and techniques for bacterial cell wall analysis. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 60:88-95. [PMID: 33631455 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peptidoglycan (PG) has remained for decades in the spotlight of the never-ending battle against pathogenic bacteria as this essential bacterial structure is one of the most successful targets for antibiotics. Most of our current understanding about the composition, architecture, and dynamics of the PG relies on techniques which have experienced great technological and methodological improvements in the past years. Here we summarize recent advances in these methods with the intention to furnish a valuable resource for both PG experts and newcomers.
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Banerjee A, Bhakta S, Sengupta J. Integrative approaches in cryogenic electron microscopy: Recent advances in structural biology and future perspectives. iScience 2021; 24:102044. [PMID: 33532719 PMCID: PMC7829201 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular factories engage numerous highly complex "molecular machines" to perform pivotal biological functions. 3D structural visualization is an effective way to understand the functional mechanisms of these biomacromolecules. The "resolution revolution" has established cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) as a preferred structural biology tool. In parallel with the advances in cryo-EM methodologies aiming at atomic resolution, several innovative approaches have started emerging where other techniques are sensibly integrated with cryo-EM to obtain additional insights into the biological processes. For example, combining the time-resolved technique with high-resolution cryo-EM enables discerning structures of short-lived intermediates in the functional pathway of a biomolecule. Likewise, integrating mass spectrometry (MS) techniques with cryo-EM allows deciphering structural organizations of large molecular assemblies. Here, we discuss how the data generated upon combining either time resolve or MS techniques with cryo-EM supplement structural elucidations with in-depth understanding of the function of cellular macromolecules when they participate in fundamental biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneek Banerjee
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Sayan Bhakta
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Jayati Sengupta
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Yang JE, Larson MR, Sibert BS, Shrum S, Wright ER. CorRelator: Interactive software for real-time high precision cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2021; 213:107709. [PMID: 33610654 PMCID: PMC8601405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2021.107709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) is a technique that uses the spatiotemporal cues from fluorescence light microscopy (FLM) to investigate the high-resolution ultrastructure of biological samples by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Cryo-CLEM provides advantages for identifying and distinguishing fluorescently labeled proteins, macromolecular complexes, and organelles from the cellular environment. Challenges remain on how correlation workflows and software tools are implemented on different microscope platforms to support automated cryo-EM data acquisition. Here, we present CorRelator: an open-source desktop application that bridges between cryo-FLM and real-time cryo-EM/ET automated data collection. CorRelator implements a pixel-coordinate-to-stage-position transformation for flexible, high accuracy on-the-fly and post-acquisition correlation. CorRelator can be integrated into cryo-CLEM workflows and easily adapted to standard fluorescence and transmission electron microscope (TEM) system configurations. CorRelator was benchmarked under live-cell and cryogenic conditions using several FLM and TEM instruments, demonstrating that CorRelator reliably supports real-time, automated correlative cryo-EM/ET acquisition, through a combination of software-aided and interactive alignment. CorRelator is a cross-platform software package featuring an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) that guides the user through the correlation process. CorRelator source code is available at: https://github.com/wright-cemrc-projects/corr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie E Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Matthew R Larson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Bryan S Sibert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Samantha Shrum
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Elizabeth R Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, 53715, United States; Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
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Abstract
Since its entry into biomedical research in the first half of the twentieth century, electron microscopy has been a valuable tool for lung researchers to explore the lung's delicate ultrastructure. Among others, it proved the existence of a continuous alveolar epithelium and demonstrated the surfactant lining layer. With the establishment of serial sectioning transmission electron microscopy, as the first "volume electron microscopic" technique, electron microscopy entered the third dimension and investigations of the lung's three-dimensional ultrastructure became possible. Over the years, further techniques, ranging from electron tomography over serial block-face and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy to array tomography became available. All techniques cover different volumes and resolutions, and, thus, different scientific questions. This review gives an overview of these techniques and their application in lung research, focusing on their fields of application and practical implementation. Furthermore, an introduction is given how the output raw data are processed and the final three-dimensional models can be generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Schneider
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jan Hegermann
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christoph Wrede
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Multiscale Electron Microscopy for the Study of Viral Replication Organelles. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020197. [PMID: 33525547 PMCID: PMC7912242 DOI: 10.3390/v13020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During infection with positive-strand RNA viruses, viral RNA synthesis associates with modified intracellular membranes that form unique and captivating structures in the cytoplasm of the infected cell. These viral replication organelles (ROs) play a key role in the replicative cycle of important human pathogens like coronaviruses, enteroviruses, or flaviviruses. From their discovery to date, progress in our understanding of viral ROs has closely followed new developments in electron microscopy (EM). This review gives a chronological account of this progress and an introduction to the different EM techniques that enabled it. With an ample repertoire of imaging modalities, EM is nowadays a versatile technique that provides structural and functional information at a wide range of scales. Together with well-established approaches like electron tomography or labeling methods, we examine more recent developments, such as volume scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in situ cryotomography, which are only beginning to be applied to the study of viral ROs. We also highlight the first cryotomography analyses of viral ROs, which have led to the discovery of macromolecular complexes that may serve as RO channels that control the export of newly-made viral RNA. These studies are key first steps towards elucidating the macromolecular complexity of viral ROs.
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Abstract
Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) is the newest cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) method, with over 70 protein, peptide, and several small organic molecule structures already determined. In MicroED, micro- or nanocrystalline samples in solution are deposited on electron microscopy grids and examined in a cryo-electron microscope, ideally under cryogenic conditions. Continuous rotation diffraction data are collected and then processed using conventional X-ray crystallography programs. The protocol outlined here details how to obtain and identify the nanocrystals, how to set up the microscope for screening and for MicroED data collection, and how to collect and process data to complete high-resolution structures. For well-behaving crystals with high-resolution diffraction in cryo-EM, the entire process can be achieved in less than an hour.
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Lam V, Villa E. Practical Approaches for Cryo-FIB Milling and Applications for Cellular Cryo-Electron Tomography. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2215:49-82. [PMID: 33367999 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0966-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is a powerful technique to examine cellular structures as they exist in situ. However, direct imaging by TEM for cryo-ET is limited to specimens up to ∼400 nm in thickness, narrowing its applicability to areas such as cellular projections or small bacteria and viruses. Cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling has emerged in recent years as a method to generate thin specimens from cellular samples in preparation for cryo-ET. In this technique, specimens are thinned with a beam of gallium ions to gradually ablate cellular material in order to leave a thin, electron-transparent section (a lamella) through the bulk material. The lamella can be used for high-resolution cryo-ET to visualize cells in 3D in a near-native state. This approach has proved to be robust and relatively simple for new users and exhibits minimal sectioning artifacts. In this chapter, we describe a general approach to cryo-FIB milling for users with prior cryo-EM experience, with extensive notes on operation and troubleshooting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinson Lam
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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33
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Relative roles of multiple scattering and Fresnel diffraction in the imaging of small molecules using electrons. Ultramicroscopy 2020; 218:113094. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2020.113094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Parra-Damas A, Saura CA. Tissue Clearing and Expansion Methods for Imaging Brain Pathology in Neurodegeneration: From Circuits to Synapses and Beyond. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:914. [PMID: 33122983 PMCID: PMC7571329 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying the structural alterations occurring during diseases of the nervous system requires imaging heterogeneous cell populations at the circuit, cellular and subcellular levels. Recent advancements in brain tissue clearing and expansion methods allow unprecedented detailed imaging of the nervous system through its entire scale, from circuits to synapses, including neurovascular and brain lymphatics elements. Here, we review the state-of-the-art of brain tissue clearing and expansion methods, mentioning their main advantages and limitations, and suggest their parallel implementation for circuits-to-synapses brain imaging using conventional (diffraction-limited) light microscopy -such as confocal, two-photon and light-sheet microscopy- to interrogate the cellular and molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss recent studies in which clearing and expansion methods have been successfully applied to study neuropathological processes in mouse models and postmortem human brain tissue. Volumetric imaging of cleared intact mouse brains and large human brain samples has allowed unbiased assessment of neuropathological hallmarks. In contrast, nanoscale imaging of expanded cells and brain tissue has been used to study the effect of protein aggregates on specific subcellular structures. Therefore, these approaches can be readily applied to study a wide range of brain processes and pathological mechanisms with cellular and subcellular resolution in a time- and cost-efficient manner. We consider that a broader implementation of these technologies is necessary to reveal the full landscape of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldo Parra-Damas
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Kounatidis I, Stanifer ML, Phillips MA, Paul-Gilloteaux P, Heiligenstein X, Wang H, Okolo CA, Fish TM, Spink MC, Stuart DI, Davis I, Boulant S, Grimes JM, Dobbie IM, Harkiolaki M. 3D Correlative Cryo-Structured Illumination Fluorescence and Soft X-ray Microscopy Elucidates Reovirus Intracellular Release Pathway. Cell 2020; 182:515-530.e17. [PMID: 32610083 PMCID: PMC7391008 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Imaging of biological matter across resolution scales entails the challenge of preserving the direct and unambiguous correlation of subject features from the macroscopic to the microscopic level. Here, we present a correlative imaging platform developed specifically for imaging cells in 3D under cryogenic conditions by using X-rays and visible light. Rapid cryo-preservation of biological specimens is the current gold standard in sample preparation for ultrastructural analysis in X-ray imaging. However, cryogenic fluorescence localization methods are, in their majority, diffraction-limited and fail to deliver matching resolution. We addressed this technological gap by developing an integrated, user-friendly platform for 3D correlative imaging of cells in vitreous ice by using super-resolution structured illumination microscopy in conjunction with soft X-ray tomography. The power of this approach is demonstrated by studying the process of reovirus release from intracellular vesicles during the early stages of infection and identifying intracellular virus-induced structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Kounatidis
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Megan L Stanifer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael A Phillips
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; Micron Advanced Imaging Consortium, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; Division of Structural Biology, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Perrine Paul-Gilloteaux
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, SFR Santé, Inserm UMS 016, CNRS UMS3556, Nantes, France
| | | | - Hongchang Wang
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Chidinma A Okolo
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Thomas M Fish
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Matthew C Spink
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - David I Stuart
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; Division of Structural Biology, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Ilan Davis
- Micron Advanced Imaging Consortium, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Steeve Boulant
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Research Group "Cellular polarity and viral infection," German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Grimes
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; Division of Structural Biology, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Ian M Dobbie
- Micron Advanced Imaging Consortium, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Maria Harkiolaki
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK.
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Pascucci L, Scattini G. Imaging extracelluar vesicles by transmission electron microscopy: Coping with technical hurdles and morphological interpretation. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1865:129648. [PMID: 32485221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanometric particles governing the complex interactions among cells through their bioactive cargo. Interest in EVs is rapidly increasing due to their extensive involvement in physiological and pathological conditions, their potential employment as diagnostic and therapeutic tools and their prospective use as bio-carriers of exogenous molecules. Given their nanometric size, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides significant contributions to assess EV presence and purity in a sample and to study morphological features. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, TEM methods for EV imaging are compared with respect to their applications, benefits and drawbacks. A critical evaluation of the actual contribution of TEM to the study of EVs is also provided and the most common artifacts encountered in the literature are discussed. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS TEM techniques are powerful tools for the investigation of EVs and have the potential to reveal sample purity, ultrastructure and molecular composition. However, technical challenges, procedural errors in sample processing or misinterpretations may result in a variety of different morphologies and artifacts. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The last decades have seen exponential technological progress in EV imaging by TEM. Nevertheless, protocols have not been standardized yet and sample preparation remains a critical step. An optimized, standardized and integrated protocol of different techniques could minimize artifacts and interpretative errors that could significantly improve the quality and reliability of downstream studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pascucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo, 4, Perugia, Italy.
| | - G Scattini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo, 4, Perugia, Italy
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Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, about one-third of the synthesized proteins are translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum; they are membrane or lumen resident proteins and proteins direct to the Golgi apparatus. The co-translational translocation takes place through the heterotrimeric protein-conducting channel Sec61 which is associated with the ribosome and many accessory components, such as the heterotetrameric translocon-associated protein (TRAP) complex. Recently, microscopic techniques, such as cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, have enabled the determination of the translocation machinery structure. However, at present, there is a lack of understanding regarding the roles of some of its components; indeed, the TRAP complex function during co-translational translocation needs to be established. In addition, TRAP may play a role during unfolded protein response, endoplasmic-reticulum-associated protein degradation and congenital disorder of glycosylation (ssr4 CDG). In this article, I describe the current understanding of the TRAP complex in the light of its possible function(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Russo
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UKS, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
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38
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Steyer AM, Ruhwedel T, Nardis C, Werner HB, Nave KA, Möbius W. Pathology of myelinated axons in the PLP-deficient mouse model of spastic paraplegia type 2 revealed by volume imaging using focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2020; 210:107492. [PMID: 32156581 PMCID: PMC7196930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Advances in electron microscopy including improved imaging techniques and state-of-the-art detectors facilitate imaging of larger tissue volumes with electron microscopic resolution. In combination with genetic tools for the generation of mouse mutants this allows assessing the three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of pathological features in disease models. Here we revisited the axonal pathology in the central nervous system of a mouse model of spastic paraplegia type 2, the Plp-/Y mouse. Although PLP is a bona fide myelin protein, the major hallmark of the disease in both SPG2 patients and mouse models are axonal swellings comprising accumulations of numerous organelles including mitochondria, gradually leading to irreversible axonal loss. To assess the number and morphology of axonal mitochondria and the overall myelin preservation we evaluated two sample preparation techniques, chemical fixation or high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution, with respect to the objective of 3D visualization. Both methods allowed visualizing distribution and morphological details of axonal mitochondria. In Plp-/Y mice the number of mitochondria is 2-fold increased along the entire axonal length. Mitochondria are also found in the excessive organelle accumulations within axonal swellings. In addition, organelle accumulations were detected within the myelin sheath and the inner tongue. We find that 3D electron microscopy is required for a comprehensive understanding of the size, content and frequency of axonal swellings, the hallmarks of axonal pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Steyer
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torben Ruhwedel
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christos Nardis
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hauke B Werner
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany.
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Chance MR, Farquhar ER, Yang S, Lodowski DT, Kiselar J. Protein Footprinting: Auxiliary Engine to Power the Structural Biology Revolution. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2973-2984. [PMID: 32088185 PMCID: PMC7245549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Structural biology is entering an exciting time where many new high-resolution structures of large complexes and membrane proteins are determined regularly. These advances have been driven by over fifteen years of technology advancements, first in macromolecular crystallography, and recently in Cryo-electron microscopy. These structures are allowing detailed questions about functional mechanisms of the structures, and the biology enabled by these structures, to be addressed for the first time. At the same time, mass spectrometry technologies for protein structure analysis, "footprinting" studies, have improved their sensitivity and resolution dramatically and can provide detailed sub-peptide and residue level information for validating structures and interactions or understanding the dynamics of structures in the context of ligand binding or assembly. In this perspective, we review the use of protein footprinting to extend our understanding of macromolecular systems, particularly for systems challenging for analysis by other techniques, such as intrinsically disordered proteins, amyloidogenic proteins, and other proteins/complexes so far recalcitrant to existing methods. We also illustrate how the availability of high-resolution structural information can be a foundation for a suite of hybrid approaches to divine structure-function relationships beyond what individual techniques can deliver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Chance
- Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, USA; Case Center for Synchrotron Biosciences, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | | | - Sichun Yang
- Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - David T Lodowski
- Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Janna Kiselar
- Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
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40
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Zachs T, Schertel A, Medeiros J, Weiss GL, Hugener J, Matos J, Pilhofer M. Fully automated, sequential focused ion beam milling for cryo-electron tomography. eLife 2020; 9:e52286. [PMID: 32149604 PMCID: PMC7082125 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) has become a powerful technique at the interface of structural biology and cell biology, due to its unique ability for imaging cells in their native state and determining structures of macromolecular complexes in their cellular context. A limitation of cryoET is its restriction to relatively thin samples. Sample thinning by cryo-focused ion beam (cryoFIB) milling has significantly expanded the range of samples that can be analyzed by cryoET. Unfortunately, cryoFIB milling is low-throughput, time-consuming and manual. Here, we report a method for fully automated sequential cryoFIB preparation of high-quality lamellae, including rough milling and polishing. We reproducibly applied this method to eukaryotic and bacterial model organisms, and show that the resulting lamellae are suitable for cryoET imaging and subtomogram averaging. Since our method reduces the time required for lamella preparation and minimizes the need for user input, we envision the technique will render previously inaccessible projects feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Zachs
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Andreas Schertel
- Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Zeiss Customer Center EuropeOberkochenGermany
| | - João Medeiros
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Gregor L Weiss
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Jannik Hugener
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
- Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Joao Matos
- Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Martin Pilhofer
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ZürichZürichSwitzerland
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41
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Buckley G, Gervinskas G, Taveneau C, Venugopal H, Whisstock JC, de Marco A. Automated cryo-lamella preparation for high-throughput in-situ structural biology. J Struct Biol 2020; 210:107488. [PMID: 32126263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-transmission electron tomography (cryo-ET) in association with cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling enables structural biology studies to be performed directly within the cellular environment. Cryo-preserved cells are milled and a lamella with a typical thickness of 200-300 nm provides an electron transparent window suitable for cryo-ET imaging. Cryo-FIB milling is an effective method, but it is a tedious and time-consuming process, which typically results in ~10 lamellae per day. Here, we introduce an automated method to reproducibly prepare cryo-lamellae on a grid and reduce the amount of human supervision. We tested the routine on cryo-preserved Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mammalian 293 T cells, and lysozyme protein crystals. Here we demonstrate that our method allows an increased throughput, achieving a rate of 5 lamellae/hour without the need to supervise the FIB milling. We demonstrate that the quality of the lamellae is consistent throughout the preparation and their compatibility with cryo-ET analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Buckley
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gediminas Gervinskas
- Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Cyntia Taveneau
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Hariprasad Venugopal
- Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - James C Whisstock
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; University of Warwick, Coventry CV4, 7AL, United Kingdom; EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Alex de Marco
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; University of Warwick, Coventry CV4, 7AL, United Kingdom.
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42
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Structural proteomics, electron cryo-microscopy and structural modeling approaches in bacteria-human protein interactions. Med Microbiol Immunol 2020; 209:265-275. [PMID: 32072248 PMCID: PMC7223518 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-020-00663-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A central challenge in infection medicine is to determine the structure and function of host-pathogen protein-protein interactions to understand how these interactions facilitate bacterial adhesion, dissemination and survival. In this review, we focus on proteomics, electron cryo-microscopy and structural modeling to showcase instances where affinity-purification (AP) and cross-linking (XL) mass spectrometry (MS) has advanced our understanding of host-pathogen interactions. We highlight cases where XL-MS in combination with structural modeling has provided insight into the quaternary structure of interspecies protein complexes. We further exemplify how electron cryo-tomography has been used to visualize bacterial-human interactions during attachment and infection. Lastly, we discuss how AP-MS, XL-MS and electron cryo-microscopy and -tomography together with structural modeling approaches can be used in future studies to broaden our knowledge regarding the function, dynamics and evolution of such interactions. This knowledge will be of relevance for future drug and vaccine development programs.
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43
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Ryl PSJ, Bohlke-Schneider M, Lenz S, Fischer L, Budzinski L, Stuiver M, Mendes MML, Sinn L, O'Reilly FJ, Rappsilber J. In Situ Structural Restraints from Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry in Human Mitochondria. J Proteome Res 2019; 19:327-336. [PMID: 31746214 PMCID: PMC7010328 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.9b00541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The field of structural biology is increasingly focusing on studying proteins in situ, i.e., in their greater biological context. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) is contributing to this effort, typically through the use of mass spectrometry (MS)-cleavable cross-linkers. Here, we apply the popular noncleavable cross-linker disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) to human mitochondria and identify 5518 distance restraints between protein residues. Each distance restraint on proteins or their interactions provides structural information within mitochondria. Comparing these restraints to protein data bank (PDB)-deposited structures and comparative models reveals novel protein conformations. Our data suggest, among others, substrates and protein flexibility of mitochondrial heat shock proteins. Through this study, we bring forward two central points for the progression of CLMS towards large-scale in situ structural biology: First, clustered conflicts of cross-link data reveal in situ protein conformation states in contrast to error-rich individual conflicts. Second, noncleavable cross-linkers are compatible with proteome-wide studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra S J Ryl
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Michael Bohlke-Schneider
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Swantje Lenz
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Lutz Fischer
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany.,Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh EH9 3BF , Scotland , United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Budzinski
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Marchel Stuiver
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Marta M L Mendes
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Ludwig Sinn
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Francis J O'Reilly
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology , Technische Universität Berlin , 13355 Berlin , Germany.,Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh EH9 3BF , Scotland , United Kingdom
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44
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Frederick JM, Hanke-Gogokhia C, Ying G, Baehr W. Diffuse or hitch a ride: how photoreceptor lipidated proteins get from here to there. Biol Chem 2019; 401:573-584. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Photoreceptors are polarized neurons, with specific subcellular compartmentalization and unique requirements for protein expression and trafficking. Each photoreceptor contains an outer segment (OS) where vision begins, an inner segment (IS) where protein synthesis occurs and a synaptic terminal for signal transmission to second-order neurons. The OS is a large, modified primary cilium attached to the IS by a slender connecting cilium (CC), the equivalent of the transition zone (TZ). Daily renewal of ~10% of the OS requires massive protein biosynthesis in the IS with reliable transport and targeting pathways. Transport of lipidated (‘sticky’) proteins depends on solubilization factors, phosphodiesterase δ (PDEδ) and uncoordinated protein-119 (UNC119), and the cargo dispensation factor (CDF), Arf-like protein 3-guanosine triphosphate (ARL3-GTP). As PDE6 and transducin still reside prominently in the OS of PDEδ and UNC119 germline knockout mice, respectively, we propose the existence of an alternate trafficking pathway, whereby lipidated proteins migrate in rhodopsin-containing vesicles of the secretory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M. Frederick
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , University of Utah Health Science Center , 65 Mario Capecchi Drive , Salt Lake City , UT 84132 , USA
| | - Christin Hanke-Gogokhia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , University of Utah Health Science Center , 65 Mario Capecchi Drive , Salt Lake City , UT 84132 , USA
| | - Guoxin Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , University of Utah Health Science Center , 65 Mario Capecchi Drive , Salt Lake City , UT 84132 , USA
| | - Wolfgang Baehr
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , University of Utah Health Science Center , 65 Mario Capecchi Drive , Salt Lake City , UT 84132 , USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy , University of Utah , Salt Lake City , UT 84112 , USA
- Department of Biology , University of Utah , Salt Lake City , UT 84132 , USA
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45
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Zhang P. Advances in cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging and classification. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 58:249-258. [PMID: 31280905 PMCID: PMC6863431 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) can provide 3D reconstructions, or tomograms, of pleomorphic objects such as organelles or cells in their close-to-native states. Subtomograms that contain repetitive structures can be further extracted and subjected to averaging and classification to improve resolution, and this process has become an emerging structural biology method referred to as cryoET subtomogram averaging and classification (cryoSTAC). Recent technical advances in cryoSTAC have had a profound impact on many fields in biology. Here, I review recent exciting work on several macromolecular assemblies demonstrating the power of cryoSTAC for in situ structure analysis and discuss challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peijun Zhang
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK; Electron Bio-Imaging Centre, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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46
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Auer M. Ultrastructural cellular signatures: does cellular form follow function? Natl Sci Rev 2019; 6:861-863. [PMID: 31867129 PMCID: PMC6919641 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwz057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Auer
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USAE-mail:
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47
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Imaging of post-mortem human brain tissue using electron and X-ray microscopy. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 58:138-148. [PMID: 31349127 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Electron microscopy imaging of post-mortem human brain (PMHB) comes with a unique set of challenges due to numerous parameters beyond the researcher's control. Nevertheless, the wealth of information provided by the ultrastructural analysis of PMHB is proving crucial in our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights the importance of such studies and covers challenges, limitations and recent developments in the application of current EM imaging, including cryo-ET and correlative hybrid techniques, on PMHB.
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48
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Abstract
For automated acquisition of tilt series for electron tomography, software needs to handle complications such as movements of the sample in x/y and z, increased projected thickness at high tilt, specimen drift, etc. In addition, many applications require special functionality such as low dose acquisition, automated sequential (batch) tomography, or montage tomography. After reviewing how these difficulties can be addressed and a closer look at what advanced acquisition strategies are employed in biosciences, this chapter introduces acquisition software both developed in academia as well as by hardware vendors. It covers the hardware requirements and compatibility, the functional principle and workflow implemented, as well as what advanced functions are supported by the individual programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guenter P Resch
- Nexperion e.U.-Solutions for Electron Microscopy, Vienna, Austria.
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49
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de la Cruz MJ, Martynowycz MW, Hattne J, Gonen T. MicroED data collection with SerialEM. Ultramicroscopy 2019; 201:77-80. [PMID: 30986656 PMCID: PMC6752703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The cryoEM method Microcrystal Electron Diffraction (MicroED) involves transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron detector working in synchrony to collect electron diffraction data by continuous rotation. We previously reported several protein, peptide, and small molecule structures by MicroED using manual control of the microscope and detector to collect data. Here we present a procedure to automate this process using a script developed for the popular open-source software package SerialEM. With this approach, SerialEM coordinates stage rotation, microscope operation, and camera functions for automated continuous-rotation MicroED data collection. Depending on crystal and substrate geometry, more than 300 datasets can be collected overnight in this way, facilitating high-throughput MicroED data collection for large-scale data analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jason de la Cruz
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Structural Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Michael W Martynowycz
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Johan Hattne
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tamir Gonen
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Biological Chemistry and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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50
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Danev R, Yanagisawa H, Kikkawa M. Cryo-Electron Microscopy Methodology: Current Aspects and Future Directions. Trends Biochem Sci 2019; 44:837-848. [PMID: 31078399 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2019.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as a powerful structure determination technique. Its most prolific branch is single particle analysis (SPA), a method being used in a growing number of laboratories worldwide to determine high-resolution protein structures. Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is another powerful approach that enables visualization of protein complexes in their native cellular environment. Despite the wide-ranging success of cryo-EM, there are many methodological aspects that could be improved. Those include sample preparation, sample screening, data acquisition, image processing, and structure validation. Future developments will increase the reliability and throughput of the technique and reduce the cost and skill level barrier for its adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radostin Danev
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Haruaki Yanagisawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masahide Kikkawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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