Combining X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy

Michael G Rossmann; Marc C Morais; Petr G Leiman; Wei Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.str.2005.01.005

Combining X-ray crystallography and electron microscopy

Structure. 2005 Mar;13(3):355-62. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2005.01.005.

Authors

Michael G Rossmann¹, Marc C Morais, Petr G Leiman, Wei Zhang

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2054, USA. mgr@indiana.bio.purdue.edu

Abstract

The combination of cryo-electron microscopy to study large biological assemblies at low resolution with crystallography to determine near atomic structures of assembly fragments is quickly expanding the horizon of structural biology. This technique can be used to advantage in the study of large structures that cannot be crystallized, to follow dynamic processes, and to "purify" samples by visual selection of particles. Factors affecting the quality of cryo-electron microscopy maps and limits of accuracy in fitting known structural fragments are discussed.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Cryoelectron Microscopy*
Crystallography, X-Ray*
Molecular Structure
Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
Viral Proteins / chemistry*
Viruses / chemistry
Viruses / ultrastructure*

Substances

Multiprotein Complexes
Viral Proteins