Characterization of Complexes and Supramolecular Structures by Electron Microscopy.
Adv Exp Med Biol
; 3234: 191-205, 2024.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38507208
ABSTRACT
Recent advancements in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) have enabled the determination of structures of macromolecular complexes at near-atomic resolution, establishing it as a pivotal tool in Structural Biology. This high resolution allows for the detection of ligands and substrates under physiological conditions. Enhancements in detectors and imaging devices, like phase plates, improve signal quality, facilitating the reconstruction of even smaller macromolecular complexes. The 100-kDa barrier has been surpassed, presenting new opportunities for pharmacological research and expanding the scope of crystallographic analyses in the pharmaceutical industry. Cryo-TEM produces vast data sets from minimal samples, and refined classification methods can identify different conformational states of macromolecular complexes, offering deeper insights into the functional characteristics of macromolecular systems. Additionally, cryo-TEM is paving the way for time-resolved microscopy, with rapid freezing techniques capturing snapshots of vital structural changes in biological complexes. Finally, in Structural Cell Biology, advanced cryo-TEM, through tomographic procedures, is revealing conformational changes related to the specific subcellular localization of macromolecular systems and their interactions within cells.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Biologia Molecular
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article