1
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Savva CG, Sobhy MA, De Biasio A, Hamdan SM. Structure of Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase by cryo-electron microscopy to 1.42 Å resolution. IUCRJ 2024; 11:723-729. [PMID: 38965901 PMCID: PMC11364023 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252524005530] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become an essential structural determination technique with recent hardware developments making it possible to reach atomic resolution, at which individual atoms, including hydrogen atoms, can be resolved. In this study, we used the enzyme involved in the penultimate step of riboflavin biosynthesis as a test specimen to benchmark a recently installed microscope and determine if other protein complexes could reach a resolution of 1.5 Å or better, which so far has only been achieved for the iron carrier ferritin. Using state-of-the-art microscope and detector hardware as well as the latest software techniques to overcome microscope and sample limitations, a 1.42 Å map of Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase (AaLS) was obtained from a 48 h microscope session. In addition to water molecules and ligands involved in the function of AaLS, we can observe positive density for ∼50% of the hydrogen atoms. A small improvement in the resolution was achieved by Ewald sphere correction which was expected to limit the resolution to ∼1.5 Å for a molecule of this diameter. Our study confirms that other protein complexes can be solved to near-atomic resolution. Future improvements in specimen preparation and protein complex stabilization may allow more flexible macromolecules to reach this level of resolution and should become a priority of study in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos G. Savva
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology4700 KAUSTThuwal23955Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A. Sobhy
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology4700 KAUSTThuwal23955Saudi Arabia
| | - Alfredo De Biasio
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology4700 KAUSTThuwal23955Saudi Arabia
| | - Samir M. Hamdan
- Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology4700 KAUSTThuwal23955Saudi Arabia
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2
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Jiko C, Li J, Moon Y, Tanaka Y, Gopalasingam CC, Shigematsu H, Chae PS, Kurisu G, Gerle C. NDT-C11 as a Viable Novel Detergent for Single Particle Cryo-EM. Chempluschem 2024:e202400242. [PMID: 38881532 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202400242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is now the major method for the determination of integral membrane protein structure. For the success of a given project the type of membrane mimetic used for extraction from the native cell membrane, purification to homogeneity and finally cryo-grid vitrification is crucial. Although small molecule amphiphiles - detergents - are the most widely used membrane mimetic, specific tailoring of detergent structure for single particle cryo-EM is rare and the demand for effective detergents not satisfied. Here, we compare the popular detergent lauryl maltose-neopentyl glycol (LMNG) with the novel detergent neopentyl glycol-derived triglucoside-C11 (NDT-C11) in its behavior as free detergent and when bound to two types of multisubunit membrane protein complexes - cyanobacterial photosystem I (PSI) and mammalian F-ATP synthase. We conclude that NDT-C11 has high potential to become a very useful detergent for single particle cryo-EM of integral membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chimari Jiko
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, Kumatori, Osaka, 590-0494, Japan
| | - Jiannan Li
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Youngsun Moon
- Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, 155-88, South Korea
| | - Yoshito Tanaka
- Graduate School of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Kamigori, 678-1297, Japan
| | - Chai C Gopalasingam
- Life Science Research Infrastructure Group, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Sayo, 679-5148, Japan
| | - Hideki Shigematsu
- Structural Biology Division, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8, Sayo, 679-5148, Japan
| | - Pil Seok Chae
- Department of Bionano Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, 155-88, South Korea
| | - Genji Kurisu
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Christoph Gerle
- Life Science Research Infrastructure Group, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Sayo, 679-5148, Japan
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3
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Cheng A, Yu Y. Recent advances in data collection for Cryo-EM methods. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 86:102795. [PMID: 38484552 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Methods of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are typically used to resolve structures of vitrified biological specimens using both single particle analysis (SPA) and tomographic methods and use both conventional as well as scanning transmission modes of data collection. Automation of data collection for each method has been developed to different levels of convenience for the users. Automation of methods using the conventional TEM mode has progressed the furthest. Beam-image shift strategies first used in data collection for SPA were shown to be equally valuable for cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Machine learning methods have been applied for target selection and for planning optimal paths of data collection for SPA. These methods also enabled automated screening. Apertures matching the square shape of cameras have been recently described. Some progress has also been made in the automation of cryo applications of scanning TEM, promising an increase of throughput and potential for further improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchi Cheng
- Chan Zuckerberg Institute for Advanced Biological Imaging (CZ Imaging Institute), 3400 Bridge Parkway, Redwood City CA 94065, USA.
| | - Yue Yu
- Chan Zuckerberg Institute for Advanced Biological Imaging (CZ Imaging Institute), 3400 Bridge Parkway, Redwood City CA 94065, USA
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4
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Premageetha GT, Vinothkumar KR, Bose S. Exploring advances in single particle CryoEM with apoferritin: From blobs to true atomic resolution. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 169:106536. [PMID: 38307321 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106536] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Deciphering the three-dimensional structures of macromolecules is of paramount importance for gaining insights into their functions and roles in human health and disease. Single particle cryoEM has emerged as a powerful technique that enables direct visualization of macromolecules and their complexes, and through subsequent averaging, achieve near atomic-level resolution. A major breakthrough was recently achieved with the determination of the apoferritin structure at true atomic resolution. In this review, we discuss the latest technological innovations across the entire single-particle workflow, which have been instrumental in driving the resolution revolution and in transforming cryoEM as a mainstream technique in structural biology. We illustrate these advancements using apoferritin as an example that has served as an excellent benchmark sample for assessing emerging technologies. We further explore whether the existing technology can routinely generate atomic structures of dynamic macromolecules that more accurately represent real-world samples, the limitations in the workflow, and the current approaches employed to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowtham ThambraRajan Premageetha
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Post, Bangalore 560065, India; Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Tiger Circle Road, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
| | - Kutti R Vinothkumar
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Post, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Sucharita Bose
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, GKVK Post, Bangalore 560065, India.
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5
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Dickerson JL, Leahy E, Peet MJ, Naydenova K, Russo CJ. Accurate magnification determination for cryoEM using gold. Ultramicroscopy 2024; 256:113883. [PMID: 38008055 PMCID: PMC10782223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Determining the correct magnified pixel size of single-particle cryoEM micrographs is necessary to maximize resolution and enable accurate model building. Here we describe a simple and rapid procedure for determining the absolute magnification in an electron cryomicroscope to a precision of <0.5%. We show how to use the atomic lattice spacings of crystals of thin and readily available test specimens, such as gold, as an absolute reference to determine magnification for both room temperature and cryogenic imaging. We compare this method to other commonly used methods, and show that it provides comparable accuracy in spite of its simplicity. This magnification calibration method provides a definitive reference quantity for data analysis and processing, simplifies the combination of multiple datasets from different microscopes and detectors, and improves the accuracy with which the contrast transfer function of the microscope can be determined. We also provide an open source program, magCalEM, which can be used to accurately estimate the magnified pixel size of a cryoEM dataset ex post facto.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Dickerson
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Erin Leahy
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Mathew J Peet
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Katerina Naydenova
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Christopher J Russo
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
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6
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McMullan G, Naydenova K, Mihaylov D, Yamashita K, Peet MJ, Wilson H, Dickerson JL, Chen S, Cannone G, Lee Y, Hutchings KA, Gittins O, Sobhy MA, Wells T, El-Gomati MM, Dalby J, Meffert M, Schulze-Briese C, Henderson R, Russo CJ. Structure determination by cryoEM at 100 keV. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312905120. [PMID: 38011573 PMCID: PMC10710074 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312905120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Electron cryomicroscopy can, in principle, determine the structures of most biological molecules but is currently limited by access, specimen preparation difficulties, and cost. We describe a purpose-built instrument operating at 100 keV-including advances in electron optics, detection, and processing-that makes structure determination fast and simple at a fraction of current costs. The instrument attains its theoretical performance limits, allowing atomic resolution imaging of gold test specimens and biological molecular structure determination in hours. We demonstrate its capabilities by determining the structures of eleven different specimens, ranging in size from 140 kDa to 2 MDa, using a fraction of the data normally required. CryoEM with a microscope designed specifically for high-efficiency, on-the-spot imaging of biological molecules will expand structural biology to a wide range of previously intractable problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg McMullan
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Katerina Naydenova
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Mihaylov
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Keitaro Yamashita
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew J. Peet
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Hugh Wilson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua L. Dickerson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Shaoxia Chen
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Cannone
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Lee
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine A. Hutchings
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Gittins
- Newcastle University, Newcastle upon TyneNE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Mohamed A. Sobhy
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Torquil Wells
- York Probe Sources Ltd., YorkYO26 6QU, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jason Dalby
- JEOL U.K. Ltd., Welwyn Garden CityAL7 1LT, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Richard Henderson
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Russo
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CambridgeCB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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7
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Last MGF, Noteborn WEM, Voortman LM, Sharp TH. Super-resolution fluorescence imaging of cryosamples does not limit achievable resolution in cryoEM. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108040. [PMID: 37918761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108040] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Correlated super-resolution cryo-fluorescence and cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) has been gaining popularity as a method to investigate biological samples with high resolution and specificity. A concern in this combined method (called SR-cryoCLEM), however, is whether and how fluorescence imaging prior to cryoEM acquisition is detrimental to sample integrity. In this report, we investigated the effect of high-dose laser light (405, 488, and 561 nm) irradiation on apoferritin samples prepared for cryoEM with excitation wavelengths commonly used in fluorescence microscopy, and compared these samples to controls that were kept in the dark. We found that laser illumination, of equal duration and intensity as used in cryo-single molecule localization microscopy (cryoSMLM) and in the presence of high concentrations of fluorescent protein, did not affect the achievable resolution in cryoEM, with final reconstructions reaching resolutions of ∼ 1.8 Å regardless of the laser illumination. The finding that super-resolution fluorescence imaging of cryosamples prior to cryoEM data acquisition does not limit the achievable resolution suggests that super-resolution cryo-fluorescence microscopy and in situ structural biology using cryoEM are entirely compatible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mart G F Last
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willem E M Noteborn
- Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy, Leiden University, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lenard M Voortman
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas H Sharp
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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8
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Eisenstein F, Yanagisawa H, Kashihara H, Kikkawa M, Tsukita S, Danev R. Parallel cryo electron tomography on in situ lamellae. Nat Methods 2023; 20:131-138. [PMID: 36456783 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01690-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
In situ cryo electron tomography of cryo focused ion beam milled samples has emerged in recent years as a powerful technique for structural studies of macromolecular complexes in their native cellular environment. However, the possibilities for recording tomographic tilt series in a high-throughput manner are limited, in part by the lamella-shaped samples. Here we utilize a geometrical sample model and optical image shift to record tens of tilt series in parallel, thereby saving time and gaining access to sample areas conventionally used for tracking specimen movement. The parallel cryo electron tomography (PACE-tomo) method achieves a throughput faster than 5 min per tilt series and allows for the collection of sample areas that were previously unreachable, thus maximizing the amount of data from each lamella. Performance testing with ribosomes in vitro and in situ on state-of-the-art and general-purpose microscopes demonstrated the high throughput and quality of PACE-tomo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hiroka Kashihara
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Sachiko Tsukita
- Advanced Comprehensive Research Organization, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Radostin Danev
- Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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9
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Russo CJ, Dickerson JL, Naydenova K. Cryomicroscopy in situ: what is the smallest molecule that can be directly identified without labels in a cell? Faraday Discuss 2022; 240:277-302. [PMID: 35913392 PMCID: PMC9642008 DOI: 10.1039/d2fd00076h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) has made great strides in the last decade, such that the atomic structure of most biological macromolecules can, at least in principle, be determined. Major technological advances - in electron imaging hardware, data analysis software, and cryogenic specimen preparation technology - continue at pace and contribute to the exponential growth in the number of atomic structures determined by cryoEM. It is now conceivable that within the next decade we will have structures for hundreds of thousands of unique protein and nucleic acid molecular complexes. But the answers to many important questions in biology would become obvious if we could identify these structures precisely inside cells with quantifiable error. In the context of an abundance of known structures, it is appropriate to consider the current state of electron cryomicroscopy for frozen specimens prepared directly from cells, and try to answer to the question of the title, both now and in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Russo
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Joshua L Dickerson
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Katerina Naydenova
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK.
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10
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Sheng Y, Harrison PJ, Vogirala V, Yang Z, Strain-Damerell C, Frosio T, Himes BA, Siebert CA, Zhang P, Clare DK. Application of super-resolution and correlative double sampling in cryo-electron microscopy. Faraday Discuss 2022; 240:261-276. [PMID: 35938521 PMCID: PMC9642007 DOI: 10.1039/d2fd00049k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Developments in cryo-EM have allowed atomic or near-atomic resolution structure determination to become routine in single particle analysis (SPA). However, near-atomic resolution structures determined using cryo-electron tomography and sub-tomogram averaging (cryo-ET STA) are much less routine. In this paper, we show that collecting cryo-ET STA data using the same conditions as SPA, with both correlated double sampling (CDS) and the super-resolution mode, allowed apoferritin to be reconstructed out to the physical Nyquist frequency of the images. Even with just two tilt series, STA yields an apoferritin map at 2.9 Å resolution. These results highlight the exciting potential of cryo-ET STA in the future of protein structure determination. While processing SPA data recorded in super-resolution mode may yield structures surpassing the physical Nyquist limit, processing cryo-ET STA data in the super-resolution mode gave no additional resolution benefit. We further show that collecting SPA data in the super-resolution mode, with CDS activated, reduces the estimated B-factor, leading to a reduction in the number of particles required to reach a target resolution without compromising the data size on disk and the area imaged in SerialEM. However, collecting SPA data in CDS does reduce throughput, given that a similar resolution structure, with a slightly larger B-factor, is achievable with optimised parameters for speed in EPU (without CDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuewen Sheng
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Peter J Harrison
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Vinod Vogirala
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Zhengyi Yang
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Claire Strain-Damerell
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
- RCaH, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Thomas Frosio
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Benjamin A Himes
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - C Alistair Siebert
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Peijun Zhang
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
- RCaH, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Daniel K Clare
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK.
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11
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Gerle C, Kishikawa JI, Yamaguchi T, Nakanishi A, Çoruh O, Makino F, Miyata T, Kawamoto A, Yokoyama K, Namba K, Kurisu G, Kato T. Structures of Multisubunit Membrane Complexes With the CRYO ARM 200. Microscopy (Oxf) 2022; 71:249-261. [PMID: 35861182 PMCID: PMC9535789 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in structural membrane biology has been significantly accelerated by the ongoing ‘Resolution Revolution’ in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). In particular, structure determination by single-particle analysis has evolved into the most powerful method for atomic model building of multisubunit membrane protein complexes. This has created an ever-increasing demand in cryo-EM machine time, which to satisfy is in need of new and affordable cryo-electron microscopes. Here, we review our experience in using the JEOL CRYO ARM 200 prototype for the structure determination by single-particle analysis of three different multisubunit membrane complexes: the Thermus thermophilus V-type ATPase VO complex, the Thermosynechococcus elongatus photosystem I monomer and the flagellar motor lipopolysaccharide peptidoglycan ring (LP ring) from Salmonella enterica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Gerle
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Life Science Research Infrastructure Group, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Kishikawa
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamaguchi
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsuko Nakanishi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kamigamo-Motoyama, Kyoto, Japan.,Research Center for Ultra-High Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka, University, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Orkun Çoruh
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, 3400 Austria
| | - Fumiaki Makino
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,JEOL Ltd., Akishima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Miyata
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kawamoto
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ken Yokoyama
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kamigamo-Motoyama, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keiichi Namba
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,JEOL YOKOGUSHI Research Alliance Laboratories, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Genji Kurisu
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kato
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamada Oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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12
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Heymann JB. The progressive spectral signal-to-noise ratio of cryo-electron micrograph movies as a tool to assess quality and radiation damage. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 220:106799. [PMID: 35405434 PMCID: PMC9149132 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.106799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The quality of a cryoEM reconstruction is fundamentally a function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the original micrographs. The SNR embodies multiple aspects of image formation, including microscope details and alignment, specimen composition and thickness, how it is recorded, and how the specimen degrades during imaging. With the advent of direct electron detectors and the recording of a series of images for each micrograph (a movie), we have an opportunity to count every electron and derive fully quantitative results. After alignment of the movie frames of a micrograph, we can calculate the SNR, or its spatial frequency equivalent, the spectral SNR (SSNR). This SSNR reflects residual movement between frames and the progressive effect of radiation damage. The goal is to develop a quantitative analysis of the SSNR and radiation damage to assess and improve the quality of micrographs. METHODS Several test cases were selected from the EMPIAR database and ten micrograph movies downloaded for each case. The movie frames were aligned as rigid bodies to compensate for stage and support movement. The SSNR for subsets of frames was then calculated to assess the effect of residual movement. The progressive SSNR (PSSNR) was subsequently calculated to determine the decrease in signal accumulation as a result of radiation damage. RESULTS In all cases the alignment of the movie frames compensated for global movement to the extent that the effect on the SSNR is negligible. The subset SSNR can be used as a tool to further confirm the extent of residual movement. The progressive SSNR indicates an increase in value up to an asymptote, consistent with the theory for radiation damage. Fitting these curves gives the inherent SNR before exposure, and the critical dose, which decreases with spatial frequency with an exponential parameter roughly between one and two. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of the PSSNR for movie frames provides a tool for assessing micrograph quality and progression of radiation damage. The estimation of the critical dose further quantifies radiation damage and may shed some light on the mechanisms of damage. These are likely both a function of the specimen composition and the imaging parameters used.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bernard Heymann
- Laboratory for Structural Biology Research, NIAMS, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; National Cryo-EM Program, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21701, USA.
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13
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Remans K, Lebendiker M, Abreu C, Maffei M, Sellathurai S, May MM, Vaněk O, de Marco A. Protein purification strategies must consider downstream applications and individual biological characteristics. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:52. [PMID: 35392897 PMCID: PMC8991485 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01778-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteins are used as reagents in a broad range of scientific fields. The reliability and reproducibility of experimental data will largely depend on the quality of the (recombinant) proteins and, consequently, these should undergo thorough structural and functional controls. Depending on the downstream application and the biochemical characteristics of the protein, different sets of specific features will need to be checked. RESULTS A number of examples, representative of recurrent issues and previously published strategies, has been reported that illustrate real cases of recombinant protein production in which careful strategy design at the start of the project combined with quality controls throughout the production process was imperative to obtain high-quality samples compatible with the planned downstream applications. Some proteins possess intrinsic properties (e.g., prone to aggregation, rich in cysteines, or a high affinity for nucleic acids) that require certain precautions during the expression and purification process. For other proteins, the downstream application might demand specific conditions, such as for proteins intended for animal use that need to be endotoxin-free. CONCLUSIONS This review has been designed to act as a practical reference list for researchers who wish to produce and evaluate recombinant proteins with certain specific requirements or that need particular care for their preparation and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Remans
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario Lebendiker
- Protein Purification Facility, The Wolfson Centre for Applied Structural Biology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Celeste Abreu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 2030/8, 12840, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mariano Maffei
- Evvivax Biotech, Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marina M May
- AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ondřej Vaněk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova 2030/8, 12840, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ario de Marco
- Lab of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska Cesta 13, 5000, Rožna Dolina-Nova Gorica, Slovenia.
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14
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Zimanyi CM, Kopylov M, Potter CS, Carragher B, Eng ET. Broadening access to cryoEM through centralized facilities. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:106-116. [PMID: 34823974 PMCID: PMC8760164 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) uses images of frozen hydrated biological specimens to produce macromolecular structures, opening up previously inaccessible levels of biological organization to high-resolution structural analysis. CryoEM has the potential for broad impact in biomedical research, including basic cell, molecular, and structural biology, and increasingly in drug discovery and vaccine development. Recent advances have led to the expansion of molecular and cellular structure determination at an exponential rate. National and regional centers have emerged to support this growth by increasing the accessibility of cryoEM throughout the biomedical research community. Through cooperation and synergy, these centers form a network of resources that accelerate the adoption of best practices for access and training and establish sustainable workflows to build future research capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Zimanyi
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mykhailo Kopylov
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clinton S. Potter
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bridget Carragher
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward T. Eng
- Simons Electron Microscopy Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY, USA,Correspondence: (E.T. Eng)
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15
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Yamashita K, Palmer CM, Burnley T, Murshudov GN. Cryo-EM single-particle structure refinement and map calculation using Servalcat. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2021; 77:1282-1291. [PMID: 34605431 PMCID: PMC8489229 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798321009475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2020, cryo-EM single-particle analysis achieved true atomic resolution thanks to technological developments in hardware and software. The number of high-resolution reconstructions continues to grow, increasing the importance of the accurate determination of atomic coordinates. Here, a new Python package and program called Servalcat is presented that is designed to facilitate atomic model refinement. Servalcat implements a refinement pipeline using the program REFMAC5 from the CCP4 package. After the refinement, Servalcat calculates a weighted Fo - Fc difference map, which is derived from Bayesian statistics. This map helps manual and automatic model building in real space, as is common practice in crystallography. The Fo - Fc map helps in the visualization of weak features including hydrogen densities. Although hydrogen densities are weak, they are stronger than in the electron-density maps produced by X-ray crystallography, and some H atoms are even visible at ∼1.8 Å resolution. Servalcat also facilitates atomic model refinement under symmetry constraints. If point-group symmetry has been applied to the map during reconstruction, the asymmetric unit model is refined with the appropriate symmetry constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Yamashita
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Colin M. Palmer
- Scientific Computing Department, UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Burnley
- Scientific Computing Department, UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
| | - Garib N. Murshudov
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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