Metallothioneins for correlative light and electron microscopy.

Structural biologists have been working for decades on new strategies to identify proteins in cells unambiguously. We recently explored the possibilities of using the small metal-binding protein, metallothionein (MT), as a tag to detect proteins in transmission electron microscopy. It had been reported that, when fused with a protein of interest and treated in vitro with gold salts, a single MT tag will build an electron-dense gold cluster ~1 nm in diameter; we provided proof of this principle by demonstrating that MT can be used to detect intracellular proteins in bacteria and eukaryotic cells. The method, which is compatible with a variety of sample processing techniques, allows specific detection of proteins in cells with exceptional sensitivity. We illustrated the applicability of the technique in a series of studies to visualize the intracellular distribution of bacterial and viral proteins. Immunogold labeling was fundamental to confirm the specificity of the MT-gold method. When proteins were double-tagged with green fluorescent protein and MT, direct correlative light and electron microscopy allowed visualization of the same macromolecular complexes with different spatial resolutions. MT-gold tagging might also become a useful tool for mapping proteins into the 3D-density maps produced by (cryo)-electron tomography. New protocols will be needed for double or multiple labeling of proteins, using different versions of MT with fluorophores of different colors. Further research is also necessary to render the MT-gold labeling procedure compatible with immunogold labeling on Tokuyasu cryosections and with cryo-electron microscopy of vitreous sections.

Three-Dimensional Imaging of Viral Infections.

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging technologies are beginning to have significant impact in the field of virology, as they are helping us understand how viruses take control of cells. In this article we review several methodologies for 3D imaging of cells and show how these technologies are contributing to the study of viral infections and the characterization of specialized structures formed in virus-infected cells. We include 3D reconstruction by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using serial sections, electron tomography, and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). We summarize from these methods selected contributions to our understanding of viral entry, replication, morphogenesis, egress and propagation, and changes in the spatial architecture of virus-infected cells. In combination with live-cell imaging, correlative microscopy, and new techniques for molecular mapping in situ, the availability of these methods for 3D imaging is expected to provide deeper insights into understanding the structural and dynamic aspects of viral infection.

Multilamellar structures and filament bundles are found on the cell surface during bunyavirus egress.

Inside cells, viruses build specialized compartments for replication and morphogenesis. We observed that virus release associates with specific structures found on the surface of mammalian cells. Cultured adherent cells were infected with a bunyavirus and processed for oriented sectioning and transmission electron microscopy. Imaging of cell basal regions showed sophisticated multilamellar structures (MLS) and extracellular filament bundles with attached viruses. Correlative light and electron microscopy confirmed that both MLS and filaments proliferated during the maximum egress of new viruses. MLS dimensions and structure were reminiscent of those reported for the nanostructures on gecko fingertips, which are responsible for the extraordinary attachment capacity of these lizards. As infected cells with MLS were more resistant to detachment than control cells, we propose an adhesive function for these structures, which would compensate for the loss of adherence during release of new virus progeny.