scholarly journals Structural Heterogeneities of the Ribosome: New Frontiers and Opportunities for Cryo-EM

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 4262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Poitevin ◽  
Artem Kushner ◽  
Xinpei Li ◽  
Khanh Dao Duc
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Conformational Transition ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Structural Variations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transition Pathways ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Particle Level ◽  
Evolution Of Proteins ◽  
Structural Heterogeneities

The extent of ribosomal heterogeneity has caught increasing interest over the past few years, as recent studies have highlighted the presence of structural variations of the ribosome. More precisely, the heterogeneity of the ribosome covers multiple scales, including the dynamical aspects of ribosomal motion at the single particle level, specialization at the cellular and subcellular scale, or evolutionary differences across species. Upon solving the ribosome atomic structure at medium to high resolution, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has enabled investigating all these forms of heterogeneity. In this review, we present some recent advances in quantifying ribosome heterogeneity, with a focus on the conformational and evolutionary variations of the ribosome and their functional implications. These efforts highlight the need for new computational methods and comparative tools, to comprehensively model the continuous conformational transition pathways of the ribosome, as well as its evolution. While developing these methods presents some important challenges, it also provides an opportunity to extend our interpretation and usage of cryo-EM data, which would more generally benefit the study of molecular dynamics and evolution of proteins and other complexes.

Ultrastructural Analysis of the Salivary Glands of Gromphadorhina Portentosa (Schaum)

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 638-639
Author(s):  
P.J. Dailey
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Secretory Vesicles ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Means Of Transmission ◽  
Gromphadorhina Portentosa ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Topographical Relief

The structure of insect salivary glands has been extensively investigated during the past decade; however, none have attempted scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in ultrastructural examinations of these secretory organs. This study correlates fine structure by means of SEM cryofractography with that of thin-sectioned epoxy embedded material observed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Salivary glands of Gromphadorhina portentosa were excised and immediately submerged in cold (4°C) paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative1 for 2 hr, washed and post-fixed in 1 per cent 0s04 in phosphosphate buffer (4°C for 2 hr). After ethanolic dehydration half of the samples were embedded in Epon 812 for TEM and half cryofractured and subsequently critical point dried for SEM. Dried specimens were mounted on aluminum stubs and coated with approximately 150 Å of gold in a cold sputtering apparatus.Figure 1 shows a cryofractured plane through a salivary acinus revealing topographical relief of secretory vesicles.

Study of the Molecular Architecture of Keratin Filaments by Electron Microscopy

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 118-119
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
P. Rew ◽  
T.-T. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
The Past ◽  
Keratin Filaments ◽  
Different Types ◽  
10 Nm Filaments ◽  
Different Cell Types

Various types of intermediate-sized (10-nm) filaments have been found and described in many different cell types during the past few years. Despite the differences in the chemical composition among the different types of filaments, they all yield common structural features: they are usually up to several microns long and have a diameter of 7 to 10 nm; there is evidence that they are made of several 2 to 3.5 nm wide protofilaments which are helically wound around each other; the secondary structure of the polypeptides constituting the filaments is rich in ∞-helix. However a detailed description of their structural organization is lacking to date.

The Diagnosis of Viral Disease by Electron Microscopy

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 270-273
Author(s):  
William B. McCombs ◽  
Cameron E. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Academic Interest ◽  
The Past

Recent years have brought a reversal in the attitude of the medical profession toward the diagnosis of viral infections. Identification of bacterial pathogens was formerly thought to be faster than identification of viral pathogens. Viral identification was dismissed as being of academic interest or for confirming the presence of an epidemic, because the patient would recover or die before this could be accomplished. In the past 10 years, the goal of virologists has been to present the clinician with a viral identification in a matter of hours. This fast diagnosis has the potential for shortening the patient's hospital stay and preventing the administering of toxic and/or expensive antibiotics of no benefit to the patient.

Permeability of Endometrial Blood Vessels to Exogenous Horse Radish Peroxidase in Mice. Electron Microscope Study

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 562-563
Author(s):  
M.C. Castillo-Jessen ◽  
A. González-Angulo
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Electron Microscope Study ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Horse Radish Peroxidase ◽  
Intravascular Injection ◽  
Normal Morphology ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Proteins

Information regarding the normal morphology of uterine blood vessels at ultrastructural level in mammals is scarce Electron microscopy studies dealing with endometrial vasculature despite the functional implications due to hormone priming are not available. Light microscopy observations with combined injection of dyes and microradiography along with histochemical studies does not enable us to know the detailed fine structure of the possible various types of blood vessels in this tissue. The present work has been designed to characterize the blood vessels of endometrium of mice as well as the behavior of the endothelium to injection of low molecular weight proteins during the normal estrous cycle in this animal. One hundred and forty female albino mice were sacrificed after intravascular injection of horse radish peroxidase (HRP) at 30 seconds, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes.

Albumins as Embedding Media for Electron Microscopy

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 422-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Farrant ◽  
J. D. McLean
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Biological Material ◽  
Globular Proteins ◽  
The Past ◽  
Antibody Staining ◽  
Thin Sectioning ◽  
Embedding Medium

For electron microscope techniques such as ferritin-labeled antibody staining it would be advantageous to have available a simple means of thin sectioning biological material without subjecting it to lipid solvents, impregnation with plastic monomers and their subsequent polymerization. With this aim in view we have re-examined the use of protein as an embedding medium. Gelatin which has been used in the past is not very satisfactory both because of its fibrous nature and the high temperature necessary to keep its solutions fluid. We have found that globular proteins such as the serum and egg albumins can be cross-linked so as to yield blocks which are suitable for ultrathin sectioning.

On Future Directions in Pathology

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 274-277
Author(s):  
Benjamin F. Trump ◽  
Irene K. Berezesky ◽  
Raymond T. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Pathology ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Diagnostic Pathology ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
The Many

The role of electron microscopy and associated techniques is assured in diagnostic pathology. At the present time, most of the progress has been made on tissues examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and correlated with light microscopy (LM) and by cytochemistry using both plastic and paraffin-embedded materials. As mentioned elsewhere in this symposium, this has revolutionized many fields of pathology including diagnostic, anatomic and clinical pathology. It began with the kidney; however, it has now been extended to most other organ systems and to tumor diagnosis in general. The results of the past few years tend to indicate the future directions and needs of this expanding field. Now, in addition to routine EM, pathologists have access to the many newly developed methods and instruments mentioned below which should aid considerably not only in diagnostic pathology but in investigative pathology as well.

Analytical Electron Microscopy of Ion-Implanted Metals

1985 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 282-285
Author(s):  
D.I. Potter ◽  
M. Ahmed ◽  
K. Ruffing
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ion Implantation ◽  
Friction And Wear ◽  
Analytical Electron Microscopy ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Surface Chemical ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Past ◽  
Analytical Electron ◽  
Property Changes

Ion implantation, used extensively for the past decade in fabricating semiconductor devices, now provides a unique means for altering the near-surface chemical compositions and microstructures of metals. These alterations often significantly improve physical properties that depend on the surface of the material; for example, catalysis, corrosion, oxidation, hardness, friction and wear. Frequently the mechanisms causing these beneficial alterations and property changes remain obscure and much of the current research in the area of ion implantation metallurgy is aimed at identifying such mechanisms. Investigators thus confront two immediate questions: To what extent is the chemical composition changed by implantation? What is the resulting microstructure? These two questions can be investigated very fruitfully with analytical electron microscopy (AEM), as described below.

scholarly journals The Continuing Need for Electron Microscopy in Examination of Medical Renal Biopsies: Examples in Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Michifumi Yamashita ◽  
Mercury Y. Lin ◽  
Jean Hou ◽  
Kevin Y.M. Ren ◽  
Mark Haas
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Renal Biopsy ◽  
Renal Allograft ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Biopsy Diagnosis ◽  
Renal Biopsies ◽  
Clinical Consequences

<b><i>Background:</i></b> For the better part of the past 6 decades, transmission electron microscopy (EM), together with routine light microscopy and immunofluorescence and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC), has been an essential component of the diagnostic workup of medical renal biopsies, particularly native renal biopsies, with increasing frequency in renal allograft biopsies as well. Studies performed prior to the year 2000 have indeed shown that a substantial fraction of renal biopsies cannot be accurately diagnosed without EM. Still, EM remains costly and labor-intensive, and with increasing pressure to reduce healthcare costs, some centers are de-emphasizing diagnostic EM. This trend has been coupled with advances in IHC and other methods in renal biopsy diagnosis over the past 2–3 decades. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Nonetheless, it has been our experience that the diagnostic value of EM in the comprehensive evaluation of renal biopsies remains similar to what it was 20–30 years ago. In this review, we provide several key examples from our practice where EM was essential in making the correct renal biopsy diagnosis, ranging from relatively common glomerular lesions to rare diseases. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> EM remains an important component of the diagnostic evaluation of medical renal biopsies. Failure to perform EM in certain cases will result in an incorrect diagnosis, with possible clinical consequences. We strongly recommend that tissue for EM be taken and stored in an appropriate fixative and ultrastructural studies be performed for all native renal biopsies, as well as appropriate renal allograft biopsies as recommended by the Banff consortium.

scholarly journals Contributions of Electron Microscopy to Understand Secretion of Immune Mediators by Human Eosinophils

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 653-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossana C.N. Melo ◽  
Ann M. Dvorak ◽  
Peter F. Weller
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Cell Secretion ◽  
The Past ◽  
Functional Capabilities ◽  
Immune Mediators ◽  
Transmission Electron

AbstractMechanisms governing secretion of proteins underlie the biologic activities and functions of human eosinophils, leukocytes of the innate immune system, involved in allergic, inflammatory, and immunoregulatory responses. In response to varied stimuli, eosinophils are recruited from the circulation into inflammatory foci, where they modulate immune responses through the release of granule-derived products. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is the only technique that can clearly identify and distinguish between different modes of cell secretion. In this review, we highlight the advances in understanding mechanisms of eosinophil secretion, based on TEM findings, that have been made over the past years and that have provided unprecedented insights into the functional capabilities of these cells.

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