Specimen Preparation for High-Resolution Cryo-EM.

Imaging a material with electrons at near-atomic resolution requires a thin specimen that is stable in the vacuum of the transmission electron microscope. For biological samples, this comprises a thin layer of frozen aqueous solution containing the biomolecular complex of interest. The process of preparing a high-quality specimen is often the limiting step in the determination of structures by single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). Here, we describe a systematic approach for going from a purified biomolecular complex in aqueous solution to high-resolution electron micrographs that are suitable for 3D structure determination. This includes a series of protocols for the preparation of vitrified specimens on various supports, including all-gold and graphene. We also describe techniques for troubleshooting when a preparation fails to yield suitable specimens, and common mistakes to avoid during each part of the process. Finally, we include recommendations for obtaining the highest quality micrographs from prepared specimens with current microscope, detector, and support technology.

The anaphase-promoting complex (APC): the sum of its parts?

The APC (anaphase-promoting complex) is a multisubunit E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets cell-cycle-related proteins for degradation by the 26 S proteasome. The APC contains at least 13 subunits and is regulated by the binding of co-activator proteins and by phosphorylation. It is not known why the APC contains 13 subunits when many other ubiquitin ligases are small single-subunit enzymes. In the present study, the structures and functions of individual APC subunits are discussed. By dissecting the roles of its parts, we hope to gain insight into the mechanism of the intact APC.

Novel and recurrent mutations in the tyrosinase gene and the P gene in the German albino population.

Albinism is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders resulting from deficiencies in pigmentation. Clinically, it is divided into ocular (OA) and oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). OCA involves lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes and results from mutations in the tyrosinase gene or in the P gene. OA mainly affects pigmentation in the visual system and may be a mild form of OCA or may be caused by other genetic defects. Clinical diagnosis of albinism type is difficult, because of the observed range of phenotypic variation. Thus, genetic analysis may be helpful with respect to a more accurate diagnosis. Here, we report the mutational profile, determined by genetic analysis of the tyrosinase and P genes, of a large German albino population. We have revealed a total of 42 distinct mutations, 19 of which are novel. Of the 74 unrelated patients screened, 32 (43%) had mutations in the tyrosinase gene, 16 (22%) had P gene mutations, and 26 (35%) patients had no detectable genetic abnormalities. This defines a population of albino patients who are tyrosinase-gene- and P-gene-negative and who thus may represent a good study group for searching for additional genes associated with albinism.

Regulation of RasGRP via a phorbol ester-responsive C1 domain.

As part of a cDNA library screen for clones that induce transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, we have isolated a cDNA encoding the murine homolog of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RasGRP. A point mutation predicted to prevent interaction with Ras abolished the ability of murine RasGRP (mRasGRP) to transform fibroblasts and to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases). MAP kinase activation via mRasGRP was enhanced by coexpression of H-, K-, and N-Ras and was partially suppressed by coexpression of dominant negative forms of H- and K-Ras. The C terminus of mRasGRP contains a pair of EF hands and a C1 domain which is very similar to the phorbol ester- and diacylglycerol-binding C1 domains of protein kinase Cs. The EF hands could be deleted without affecting the ability of mRasGRP to transform NIH 3T3 cells. In contrast, deletion of the C1 domain or an adjacent cluster of basic amino acids eliminated the transforming activity of mRasGRP. Transformation and MAP kinase activation via mRasGRP were restored if the deleted C1 domain was replaced either by a membrane-localizing prenylation signal or by a diacylglycerol- and phorbol ester-binding C1 domain of protein kinase C. The transforming activity of mRasGRP could be regulated by phorbol ester when serum concentrations were low, and this effect of phorbol ester was dependent on the C1 domain of mRasGRP. The C1 domain could also confer phorbol myristate acetate-regulated transforming activity on a prenylation-defective mutant of K-Ras. The C1 domain mediated the translocation of mRasGRP to cell membranes in response to either phorbol ester or serum stimulation. These results suggest that the primary mechanism of activation of mRasGRP in fibroblasts is through its recruitment to diacylglycerol-enriched membranes. mRasGRP is expressed in lymphoid tissues and the brain, as well as in some lymphoid cell lines. In these cells, RasGRP has the potential to serve as a direct link between receptors which stimulate diacylglycerol-generating phospholipase Cs and the activation of Ras.

Mutations in a novel gene, VMD2, encoding a protein of unknown properties cause juvenile-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best's disease).

Vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best's disease) is an autosomal dominant, early-onset form of macular degeneration in which the primary defect is thought to occur at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium. Genetic linkage has mapped the disease locus to chromosome 11q12-q13.1 within a 980 kb interval flanked by markers at loci D11S4076 and uteroglobin. To identify the disease gene, we systematically characterized genes from within the critical region and analysed the coding regions for mutations in 12 patients from large multigeneration Best's disease families. Following this approach, we identified a novel gene of unknown function carrying heterozygous mutations in all 12 probands. Of these, 10 result in distinct missense mutations of amino acids that are highly conserved throughout evolution, spanning a phylogenetic distance from Caenorhabditis elegans to human, and include V9M, A10T, W24C, R25Q, R218Q, Y227N, Y227C, V235M, P297A and F305S. One deletion mutation, DeltaI295, was found in two families and segregates with the disease in both cases. Northern blot analysis reveals tissue-specific expression for this gene, exclusively in the retinal pigment epithelium. In conclusion, our data provide strong evidence that mutations in the gene that we have identified cause Best's disease.

Inhibitor-induced changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of human cyclooxygenase-2.

The steady state tryptophan fluorescence of apo-human cyclooxygenase-2 (hCox-2) is quenched approximately 40%-50% by the slow binding inhibitors diclofenac, indomethacin, ketoprofen, NS-398, and DuP-697. The effects of these inhibitors on tryptophan fluorescence are both time and concentration dependent. Addition of each inhibitor results in a rapid fluorescence decrease, followed by a slower time dependent quenching. The slow, time dependent loss of fluorescence follows first-order kinetics, the rate constants for the process increasing with inhibitor concentration in a saturation-type manner. The rapid fluorescence loss also increases with increasing inhibitor concentration in the same manner. These results are consistent with the initial formation of a rapid equilibrium complex of enzyme and inhibitor (EI), followed by the slower formation of a tightly bound enzyme-inhibitor complex (EI*). The fluorescence of the EI complex is not significantly different from that of the EI* complex. The kinetic parameters of each inhibitor derived for this process (Ki and kon) are close to those obtained by determination of the rate constants for the onset of enzyme inhibition, thereby linking the fluorescence changes with inhibitor binding. The reversible inhibitors ibuprofen and docosahexaenoic acid do not quench the protein fluorescence but do decrease both the rate of the slow fluorescence loss and the magnitude of the initial rapid fluorescence decrease caused by the slow binding inhibitors, consistent with their competitive behavior. ASA-acetylated apo-hCox-2 shows the same fluorescence-quenching behavior in the presence of most of the above inhibitors. However, acetylation apparently blocks the binding of diclofenac, whereas the affinity of ibuprofen is increased. The effects of the collisional quenching agents iodide and acrylamide on both the native and inhibited enzyme are small (< 20% quenching at 0.3 M), showing that inhibitor binding does not result in an increased solvent accessibility of protein tryptophans. The cause of the inhibitor-induced quenching of the intrinsic apo-hCox-2 fluorescence is likely energy transfer to the bound inhibitor. Calculations based on the inhibitor-tryptophan distances in ovine Cox-1 indicate that the distances are within the required range for significant quenching to occur.

Social support networks among families of children with craniofacial anomalies.

Investigated the social support available to families of children born with craniofacial anomalies and the perceived degree of satisfaction derived from these relationships. Thirty-six children (1 month to 5 years old) born with craniofacial deformities (FD) were matched by age and sex to 36 children with no significant physical or behavioral problems. The Social Support Questionnaire-Revised, the Revised Denver Developmental Screening Test, and a semistructured interview were administered. Results indicated that parents of FD children reported less available social support and were significantly less satisfied with their support. Parents of children who had more severe physical impairments and were rated as less attractive reported having less available and less satisfying social support. In particular, the social competence of the child was the most important predictor of parental social support. This result is interesting as the parents of FD children appeared to underreport the presence of behavioral-psychological problems in their children.