scholarly journals Effect of ionic strength on the structure and elongational kinetics of vimentin filaments

Soft Matter ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (42) ◽  
pp. 8445-8454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos G. Lopez ◽  
Oliva Saldanha ◽  
Anders Aufderhorst-Roberts ◽  
Cristina Martinez-Torres ◽  
Merel Kuijs ◽  
...  

The present work characterizes the assembly process of vimentin intermediate filaments with monovalent salts as an assembly trigger. A multi-scale approach is used, comprising time-resolved static and dynamic light scattering and quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy.

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1686-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Tooney ◽  
M W Mosesson ◽  
D L Amrani ◽  
J F Hainfeld ◽  
J S Wall

As assessed by electron microscopy, the reported shape of the plasma fibronectin molecule ranges from that of a compact particle to an elongated, rod-like structure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of solution and surface conditions on fibronectin shape. Freeze-dried, unstained human plasma fibronectin molecules deposited at pH 7.0-7.4 onto carbon films and examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy appeared relatively compact and pleiomorphic, with approximate average dimensions of 24 nm X 16 nm. Negatively stained molecules also had a similar shape but revealed greater detail in that we observed irregular, yarn-like structures. Glutaraldehyde-induced intramolecular cross-linking did not alter the appearance of plasma fibronectin. Molecules deposited at pH 2.8, pH 9.3, or after succinylation were less compact than those deposited at neutral pH. In contrast, fibronectin molecules sprayed onto mica surfaces at pH 7, rotary shadowed, and examined by transmission electron microscopy were elongated and nodular with a contour length of 120-130 nm. Sedimentation velocity experiments and electron microscopic observations indicate that fibronectin unfolds when it is succinylated, when the ionic strength is raised at pH 7, or when the pH is adjusted to 9.3 or 2.8. Greater unfolding is observed at pH 2.8 at low ionic strength (less than 0.01) compared with material at that pH in 0.15 M NaCl solution. We conclude that (a) the shape assumed by the fibronectin molecule can be strongly affected by solution conditions and by deposition onto certain surfaces; and that (b) the images of fibronectin seen by scanning transmission electron microscopy at neutral pH on carbon film are representative of molecules in physiologic solution.


Author(s):  
J. M. Cowley

The comparison of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM) can best be made by means of the Reciprocity Theorem of wave optics. In Fig. 1 the intensity measured at a point A’ in the CTEM image due to emission from a point B’ in the electron source is equated to the intensity at a point of the detector, B, due to emission from a point A In the source In the STEM. On this basis it can be demonstrated that contrast effects In the two types of instrument will be similar. The reciprocity relationship can be carried further to include the Instrument design and experimental procedures required to obtain particular types of information. For any. mode of operation providing particular information with one type of microscope, the analagous type of operation giving the same information can be postulated for the other type of microscope. Then the choice between the two types of instrument depends on the practical convenience for obtaining the required Information.


Author(s):  
F. Khoury ◽  
L. H. Bolz

The lateral growth habits and non-planar conformations of polyethylene crystals grown from dilute solutions (<0.1% wt./vol.) are known to vary depending on the crystallization temperature.1-3 With the notable exception of a study by Keith2, most previous studies have been limited to crystals grown at <95°C. The trend in the change of the lateral growth habit of the crystals with increasing crystallization temperature (other factors remaining equal, i.e. polymer mol. wt. and concentration, solvent) is illustrated in Fig.l. The lateral growth faces in the lozenge shaped type of crystal (Fig.la) which is formed at lower temperatures are {110}. Crystals formed at higher temperatures exhibit 'truncated' profiles (Figs. lb,c) and are bound laterally by (110) and (200} growth faces. In addition, the shape of the latter crystals is all the more truncated (Fig.lc), and hence all the more elongated parallel to the b-axis, the higher the crystallization temperature.


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