Structure of rattlesnake venom lectin determined by single particle high-resolution electron microscopy

Author(s):  
Peter D. Moisiuk ◽  
Daniel R. Beniac ◽  
Ross A. Ridsdale ◽  
Martin Young ◽  
Bhushan Nagar ◽  
...  

Venom from the rattlesnake Crotalus atrox contains a mixture of enzymes that induce a localized effect leading to hemorrhaging, necrosis and edema. As a member of the crotalid family of snake venoms, Crotalus atrox venom contains a C-type lectin that will agglutinate blood cells in a Ca2+-dependent fashion. The lectin is a hydrophilic protein, consisting of two covalently linked, 135 amino acid residues, identical subunits that are rich in aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine. Sequence homology with known carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) indicates that rattlesnake venom lectin (RSLV) contains a CRD motif that is not linked to accessory domains. Preliminary X-ray diffraction and sedimentation analysis has indicated that lectin from Crotalus atrox forms decamers composed of two five-fold symmetric pentamers. Single particles of RSVL imaged at – 171°C displayed two distinct orientations on the specimen support (Figure a) following incubation in a crystallization Teflon well, coated with a lipid monolayer consisting of phosphatidylcholine and monosialoganglioside. When lying in an end-on orientation, the lectin exhibited a “pentagonal ring” with an outer diameter of 6.7 nm and an inner hollow core of 1.7 nm. A side orientation was also seen, whereby a thickness of 5.8 nm was measured for the lectin. Image processing of 2280 single particles placed in 100 classes (Figure b) led to 3D reconstructions of RSVL (Figure c). Density limited 3D reconstructions showed the lectin to be made of two five-fold symmetrical rings covalently linked between the five subunits that constitute each ring of this homodimer. These results are consistent with sedimentation and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis on the shape of RSVL and provide the framework for structural verification by 2D electron crystallography.

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salah Awel ◽  
Richard A. Kirian ◽  
Max O. Wiedorn ◽  
Kenneth R. Beyerlein ◽  
Nils Roth ◽  
...  

High-resolution Bragg diffraction from aerosolized single granulovirus nanocrystals using an X-ray free-electron laser is demonstrated. The outer dimensions of the in-vacuum aerosol injector components are identical to conventional liquid-microjet nozzles used in serial diffraction experiments, which allows the injector to be utilized with standard mountings. As compared with liquid-jet injection, the X-ray scattering background is reduced by several orders of magnitude by the use of helium carrier gas rather than liquid. Such reduction is required for diffraction measurements of small macromolecular nanocrystals and single particles. High particle speeds are achieved, making the approach suitable for use at upcoming high-repetition-rate facilities.


1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1441-1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Armelao ◽  
A. Armigliato ◽  
R. Bozio ◽  
P. Colombo

The microstructure of Fe2O3 sol-gel thin films, obtained from Fe(OCH2CH3)3, was investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Samples were nanocrystalline from 400 °C to 1000 °C, and the crystallized phase was haematite. In the coatings, the α–Fe2O3 clusters were dispersed as single particles in a network of amorphous ferric oxide.


2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gantigaiah Krishnamurthy ◽  
Sarika Agarwal

AbstractThe synthesis of well-aggregated carbon nanotubes in the form of bundles was achieved by the catalytic reduction of 1,2-dichlorobenzene by a solvothermal approach. The use of 1,2-dichlorobenzene as a carbon source yielded a comparably good percentage of carbon nanotubes in the range of 60–70 %, at a low reaction temperature of 200°C. The products obtained were analysed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The X-ray diffraction studies implied the presence of pure, crystalline, and well-ordered carbon nanotubes. The scanning electron and transmission electron microscopic images revealed the surface morphology, dimensions and the bundled form of the tubes. These micrographs showed the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with an outer diameter of 30–55 nm, inner diameter of 15–30 nm, and lengths of several hundreds of nanometers. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller-based N2 gas adsorption studies were performed to determine the surface area and pore volume of the carbon nanotubes. These carbon nanotubes exhibit a better surface area of 385.30 m2 g−1. In addition, the effects of heating temperature, heating time, amount of catalyst and amount of carbon source on the product yield were investigated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1647) ◽  
pp. 20130325 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. H. Spence ◽  
Nadia A. Zatsepin ◽  
Chufeng Li

The use of coherent X-ray lasers for structural biology allows the use of nanometre diameter X-ray beams with large beam divergence. Their application to the structure analysis of protein nanocrystals and single particles raises new challenges and opportunities. We discuss the form of these coherent convergent-beam (CCB) hard X-ray diffraction patterns and their potential use for time-resolved crystallography, normally achieved by Laue (polychromatic) diffraction, for which the monochromatic laser radiation of a free-electron X-ray laser is unsuitable. We discuss the possibility of obtaining single-shot, angle-integrated rocking curves from CCB patterns, and the dependence of the resulting patterns on the focused beam coordinate when the beam diameter is larger or smaller than a nanocrystal, or smaller than one unit cell. We show how structure factor phase information is provided at overlapping interfering orders and how a common phase origin between different shots may be obtained. Their use in refinement of the phase-sensitive intensity between overlapping orders is suggested.


1995 ◽  
Vol 398 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Tomasi ◽  
E. Galvanetto ◽  
F.C. Matacotta ◽  
P. Nozar ◽  
P. Scardi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTA systematic study on phase formation and stabilisation in the Ba-Cu-C-O system in the temperature range 20-500°C, under various atmospheres, by traditional thermal analysis techniques, high temperature X-ray diffraction and high resolution electron microscopy, has permitted to identify and characterise the formation kinetics of a new copper containing phase isomorphic to γ-BaCO3.


2009 ◽  
Vol 79-82 ◽  
pp. 581-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ang Song ◽  
Li Xin Cao ◽  
Ge Su ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
...  

Titanium based nanotubes (8-12nm outer diameter and 4-6nm inner diameter) were successfully fabricated by a simple and cost-effective hydrothermal method. The nanotube-like amorphous phases TNT(Na) and TNT(H) were obtained with different post treatment. The samples were characterized by means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic activities of the nanotubes were evaluated using photo-oxidation of methyl orange.


2014 ◽  
Vol 502 ◽  
pp. 012008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Takeichi ◽  
N Inami ◽  
T Ueno ◽  
K Saito ◽  
H Otori ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 883-890 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. Rozhdestvenskaya ◽  
T. Kogure ◽  
E. Abe ◽  
V. A. Drits

AbstractThe crystal structure of charoite was investigated mainly by using selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). SAED and XRD patterns indicate that the structure has a monoclinic cell: a = 32.296, b = 19.651, c = 7.16 Å, β = 96.3° and V = 4517 Å3. The space group inferred from systematic absences and HREM images is P21/m. A model of the charoite structure is proposed that is based on the features of related Ca-alkaline silicate structures and HREM images. The structure of charoite consists of three different silicon-oxygen radicals (polymerized SiO4 tetrahedra) which are located between Ca polyhedra. Two of these radicals form continuous tubular structures comprising pectolite-like tetrahedral chains. Calcium polyhedra are joined to form blocks, each of which consists of four columns sharing edges and apices. Potassium and H2O molecules are probably located inside the tubular silicate radicals. From these results, a general formula is derived: K6-7(Ca,Na)18[(Si6O17)(Si12O30)(Si18O45)](OH,F)2.nH2O with two formula units in the unit cell (Z = 2).


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