1
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Noble AJ, de Marco A. Cryo-focused ion beam for in situ structural biology: State of the art, challenges, and perspectives. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 87:102864. [PMID: 38901373 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Cryogenic-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) instruments became essential for high-resolution imaging in cryo-preserved cells and tissues. Cryo-FIBs use accelerated ions to thin samples that would otherwise be too thick for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This allows visualizing cellular ultrastructures in near-native frozen hydrated states. This review describes the current state-of-the-art capabilities of cryo-FIB technology and its applications in structural cell and tissue biology. We discuss recent advances in instrumentation, imaging modalities, automation, sample preparation protocols, and targeting techniques. We outline remaining challenges and future directions to make cryo-FIB more precise, enable higher throughput, and be widely accessible. Further improvements in targeting, efficiency, robust sample preparation, emerging ion sources, automation, and downstream electron tomography have the potential to reveal intricate molecular architectures across length scales inside cells and tissues. Cryo-FIB is poised to become an indispensable tool for preparing native biological systems in situ for high-resolution 3D structural analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Noble
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, 89 Convent Avenue New York, NY, 10027, USA. https://twitter.com/alexjamesnoble
| | - Alex de Marco
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, 89 Convent Avenue New York, NY, 10027, USA.
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2
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Hale VL, Hooker J, Russo CJ, Löwe J. Honeycomb gold specimen supports enabling orthogonal focussed ion beam-milling of elongated cells for cryo-ET. J Struct Biol 2024; 216:108097. [PMID: 38772448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2024.108097] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Cryo-focussed ion beam (FIB)-milling is a powerful technique that opens up thick, cellular specimens to high-resolution structural analysis by electron cryotomography (cryo-ET). FIB-milled lamellae can be produced from cells on grids, or cut from thicker, high-pressure frozen specimens. However, these approaches can put geometrical constraints on the specimen that may be unhelpful, particularly when imaging structures within the cell that have a very defined orientation. For example, plunge frozen rod-shaped bacteria orient parallel to the plane of the grid, yet the Z-ring, a filamentous structure of the tubulin-like protein FtsZ and the key organiser of bacterial division, runs around the circumference of the cell such that it is perpendicular to the imaging plane. It is therefore difficult or impractical to image many complete rings with current technologies. To circumvent this problem, we have fabricated monolithic gold specimen supports with a regular array of cylindrical wells in a honeycomb geometry, which trap bacteria in a vertical orientation. These supports, which we call "honeycomb gold discs", replace standard EM grids and when combined with FIB-milling enable the production of lamellae containing cross-sections through cells. The resulting lamellae are more stable and resistant to breakage and charging than conventional lamellae. The design of the honeycomb discs can be modified according to need and so will also enable cryo-ET and cryo-EM imaging of other specimens in otherwise difficult to obtain orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Hooker
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | | | - Jan Löwe
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
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3
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Laporte MH, Gambarotto D, Bertiaux É, Bournonville L, Louvel V, Nunes JM, Borgers S, Hamel V, Guichard P. Time-series reconstruction of the molecular architecture of human centriole assembly. Cell 2024; 187:2158-2174.e19. [PMID: 38604175 PMCID: PMC11060037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.025] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Centriole biogenesis, as in most organelle assemblies, involves the sequential recruitment of sub-structural elements that will support its function. To uncover this process, we correlated the spatial location of 24 centriolar proteins with structural features using expansion microscopy. A time-series reconstruction of protein distributions throughout human procentriole assembly unveiled the molecular architecture of the centriole biogenesis steps. We found that the process initiates with the formation of a naked cartwheel devoid of microtubules. Next, the bloom phase progresses with microtubule blade assembly, concomitantly with radial separation and rapid cartwheel growth. In the subsequent elongation phase, the tubulin backbone grows linearly with the recruitment of the A-C linker, followed by proteins of the inner scaffold (IS). By following six structural modules, we modeled 4D assembly of the human centriole. Collectively, this work provides a framework to investigate the spatial and temporal assembly of large macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine H Laporte
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Davide Gambarotto
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Éloïse Bertiaux
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lorène Bournonville
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Louvel
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - José M Nunes
- University of Geneva, Department of Genetic and evolution, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Borgers
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Hamel
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Paul Guichard
- University of Geneva, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland.
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4
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McCafferty CL, Klumpe S, Amaro RE, Kukulski W, Collinson L, Engel BD. Integrating cellular electron microscopy with multimodal data to explore biology across space and time. Cell 2024; 187:563-584. [PMID: 38306982 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Biology spans a continuum of length and time scales. Individual experimental methods only glimpse discrete pieces of this spectrum but can be combined to construct a more holistic view. In this Review, we detail the latest advancements in volume electron microscopy (vEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), which together can visualize biological complexity across scales from the organization of cells in large tissues to the molecular details inside native cellular environments. In addition, we discuss emerging methodologies for integrating three-dimensional electron microscopy (3DEM) imaging with multimodal data, including fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, single-particle analysis, and AI-based structure prediction. This multifaceted approach fills gaps in the biological continuum, providing functional context, spatial organization, molecular identity, and native interactions. We conclude with a perspective on incorporating diverse data into computational simulations that further bridge and extend length scales while integrating the dimension of time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sven Klumpe
- Research Group CryoEM Technology, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Rommie E Amaro
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Wanda Kukulski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Lucy Collinson
- Electron Microscopy Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
| | - Benjamin D Engel
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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5
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Woods EV, Kim SH, El-Zoka AA, Stephenson LT, Gault B. Scalable substrate development for aqueous sample preparation for atom probe tomography. J Microsc 2023. [PMID: 38115688 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13255] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Reliable and consistent preparation of atom probe tomography (APT) specimens from aqueous and hydrated biological specimens remains a significant challenge. One particularly difficult process step is the use of a focused ion beam (FIB) instrument for preparing the required needle-shaped specimen, typically involving a 'lift-out' procedure of a small sample of material. Here, two alternative substrate designs are introduced that enable using FIB only for sharpening, along with example APT datasets. The first design is a laser-cut FIB-style half-grid close to those used for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that can be used in a grid holder compatible with APT pucks. The second design is a larger, standalone self-supporting substrate called a 'crown', with several specimen positions, which self-aligns in APT pucks, prepared by electrical discharge machining (EDM). Both designs are made nanoporous, to provide strength to the liquid-substrate interface, using chemical and vacuum dealloying. Alpha brass, a simple, widely available, lower-cost alternative to previously proposed substrates, was selected for this work. The resulting designs and APT data are presented and suggestions are provided to help drive wider community adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric V Woods
- Department Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Se-Ho Kim
- Department Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayman A El-Zoka
- Department Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L T Stephenson
- Department Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - B Gault
- Department Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, London, UK
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6
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Bai Y, Zhang S, Dong H, Liu Y, Liu C, Zhang X. Advanced Techniques for Detecting Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Cellular Environments. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12254-12311. [PMID: 37874548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation, a key contributor to the progression of numerous neurodegenerative diseases, results in functional deficiencies and the creation of harmful intermediates. Detailed visualization of this misfolding process is of paramount importance for improving our understanding of disease mechanisms and for the development of potential therapeutic strategies. While in vitro studies using purified proteins have been instrumental in delivering significant insights into protein misfolding, the behavior of these proteins in the complex milieu of living cells often diverges significantly from such simplified environments. Biomedical imaging performed in cell provides cellular-level information with high physiological and pathological relevance, often surpassing the depth of information attainable through in vitro methods. This review highlights a variety of methodologies used to scrutinize protein misfolding within biological systems. This includes optical-based methods, strategies leaning on mass spectrometry, in-cell nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy. Recent advancements in these techniques have notably deepened our understanding of protein misfolding processes and the features of the resulting misfolded species within living cells. The progression in these fields promises to catalyze further breakthroughs in our comprehension of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Bai
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang Province, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang Province, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
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7
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Skoupý R, Boltje DB, Slouf M, Mrázová K, Láznička T, Taisne CM, Krzyžánek V, Hoogenboom JP, Jakobi AJ. Robust Local Thickness Estimation of Sub-Micrometer Specimen by 4D-STEM. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300258. [PMID: 37248805 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A quantitative four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) imaging technique (q4STEM) for local thickness estimation across amorphous specimen such as obtained by focused ion beam (FIB)-milling of lamellae for (cryo-)TEM analysis is presented. This study is based on measuring spatially resolved diffraction patterns to obtain the angular distribution of electron scattering, or the ratio of integrated virtual dark and bright field STEM signals, and their quantitative evaluation using Monte Carlo simulations. The method is independent of signal intensity calibrations and only requires knowledge of the detector geometry, which is invariant for a given instrument. This study demonstrates that the method yields robust thickness estimates for sub-micrometer amorphous specimen using both direct detection and light conversion 2D-STEM detectors in a coincident FIB-SEM and a conventional SEM. Due to its facile implementation and minimal dose reauirements, it is anticipated that this method will find applications for in situ thickness monitoring during lamella fabrication of beam-sensitive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radim Skoupý
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 61264, CZ
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, NL
- Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CJ, NL
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CJ, NL
| | - Daan B Boltje
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CJ, NL
| | - Miroslav Slouf
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 162 00, CZ
| | - Kateřina Mrázová
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 61264, CZ
| | - Tomáš Láznička
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 61264, CZ
| | - Clémence M Taisne
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, NL
| | - Vladislav Krzyžánek
- Institute of Scientific Instruments, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, 61264, CZ
| | - Jacob P Hoogenboom
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CJ, NL
| | - Arjen J Jakobi
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2628 CD, NL
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8
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Eisenstein M. Catching proteins at play: the method revealing the cell's inner mysteries. Nature 2023; 621:646-648. [PMID: 37723291 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-02909-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
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9
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Yang J, Vrbovská V, Franke T, Sibert B, Larson M, Coomes T, Rigort A, Mitchels J, Wright ER. Precise 3D Localization by Integrated Fluorescence Microscopy (iFLM) for Cryo-FIB-milling and In-situ Cryo-ET. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:1055-1057. [PMID: 37613109 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad067.541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jae Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | | | | | - Bryan Sibert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Matt Larson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Tom Coomes
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hillsboro, OR, United States
| | | | | | - Elizabeth R Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, United States
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10
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Yang J, Vrbovská V, Franke T, Sibert B, Larson M, Hall A, Rigort A, Mitchels J, Wright ER. Integrated Fluorescence Microscopy (iFLM) for Cryo-FIB-milling and In-situ Cryo-ET. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.11.548578. [PMID: 37502891 PMCID: PMC10369943 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.11.548578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Correlative cryo-FLM-FIB milling is a powerful sample preparation technique for in situ cryo-ET. However, correlative workflows that incorporate precise targeting remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate the development and use of an integrated Fluorescence Light Microscope (iFLM) module within a cryo-FIB-SEM to enable a coordinate-based two-point 3D correlative workflow. The iFLM guided targeting of regions of interest coupled with an automated milling process of the cryo-FIB-SEM instrument allows for the efficient preparation of 9-12 ∼200 nm thick lamellae within 24 hours. Using regular and montage-cryo-ET data collection schemes, we acquired data from FIB-milled lamellae of HeLa cells to examine cellular ultrastructure. Overall, this workflow facilitates on-the-fly targeting and automated FIB-milling of cryo-preserved cells, bacteria, and possibly high pressure frozen tissue, to produce lamellae for downstream cryo-ET data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| | | | | | - Bryan Sibert
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| | - Matthew Larson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
| | - Alex Hall
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alex Rigort
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Elizabeth R. Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
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11
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Li S, Jia X, Niu T, Zhang X, Qi C, Xu W, Deng H, Sun F, Ji G. HOPE-SIM, a cryo-structured illumination fluorescence microscopy system for accurately targeted cryo-electron tomography. Commun Biol 2023; 6:474. [PMID: 37120442 PMCID: PMC10148829 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04850-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling technology has been developed for the fabrication of cryo-lamella of frozen native specimens for study by in situ cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). However, the precision of the target of interest is still one of the major bottlenecks limiting application. Here, we have developed a cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) system named HOPE-SIM by incorporating a 3D structured illumination fluorescence microscopy (SIM) system and an upgraded high-vacuum stage to achieve efficiently targeted cryo-FIB. With the 3D super resolution of cryo-SIM as well as our cryo-CLEM software, 3D-View, the correlation precision of targeting region of interest can reach to 110 nm enough for the subsequent cryo-lamella fabrication. We have successfully utilized the HOPE-SIM system to prepare cryo-lamellae targeting mitochondria, centrosomes of HeLa cells and herpesvirus assembly compartment of infected BHK-21 cells, which suggests the high potency of the HOPE-SIM system for future in situ cryo-ET workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuoguo Li
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Jia
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Tongxin Niu
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhang
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Qi
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyu Deng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
| | - Gang Ji
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
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12
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Berger C, Premaraj N, Ravelli RBG, Knoops K, López-Iglesias C, Peters PJ. Cryo-electron tomography on focused ion beam lamellae transforms structural cell biology. Nat Methods 2023; 20:499-511. [PMID: 36914814 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01783-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy and data processing enable the determination of structures of isolated macromolecules to near-atomic resolution. However, these data do not provide structural information in the cellular environment where macromolecules perform their native functions, and vital molecular interactions can be lost during the isolation process. Cryogenic focused ion beam (FIB) fabrication generates thin lamellae of cellular samples and tissues, enabling structural studies on the near-native cellular interior and its surroundings by cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET). Cellular cryo-ET benefits from the technological developments in electron microscopes, detectors and data processing, and more in situ structures are being obtained and at increasingly higher resolution. In this Review, we discuss recent studies employing cryo-ET on FIB-generated lamellae and the technological developments in ultrarapid sample freezing, FIB fabrication of lamellae, tomography, data processing and correlative light and electron microscopy that have enabled these studies. Finally, we explore the future of cryo-ET in terms of both methods development and biological application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper Berger
- Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Structural Biology, The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, UK
| | - Navya Premaraj
- Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Raimond B G Ravelli
- Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kèvin Knoops
- Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Carmen López-Iglesias
- Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J Peters
- Division of Nanoscopy, Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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