scholarly journals Electron Cryotomography of Tula Hantavirus Suggests a Unique Assembly Paradigm for Enveloped Viruses

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 4889-4897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha T. Huiskonen ◽  
Jussi Hepojoki ◽  
Pasi Laurinmäki ◽  
Antti Vaheri ◽  
Hilkka Lankinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Membrane Curvature ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Viral Membrane ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Virion Structure ◽  
Electron Cryotomography ◽  
Assembly Principles

ABSTRACT Hantaviruses (family Bunyaviridae) are rodent-borne emerging viruses that cause a serious, worldwide threat to human health. Hantavirus diseases include hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. Virions are enveloped and contain a tripartite single-stranded negative-sense RNA genome. Two types of glycoproteins, GN and GC, are embedded in the viral membrane and form protrusions, or “spikes.” The membrane encloses a ribonucleoprotein core, which consists of the RNA segments, the nucleocapsid protein, and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Detailed information on hantavirus virion structure and glycoprotein spike composition is scarce. Here, we have studied the structures of Tula hantavirus virions using electron cryomicroscopy and tomography. Three-dimensional density maps show how the hantavirus surface glycoproteins, membrane, and ribonucleoprotein are organized. The structure of the GN-GC spike complex was solved to 3.6-nm resolution by averaging tomographic subvolumes. Each spike complex is a square-shaped assembly with 4-fold symmetry. Spike complexes formed ordered patches on the viral membrane by means of specific lateral interactions. These interactions may be sufficient for creating membrane curvature during virus budding. In conclusion, the structure and assembly principles of Tula hantavirus exemplify a unique assembly paradigm for enveloped viruses.

High Resolution Microscopy of Multi-Layered Biological Crystals

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
H.A. Cohen ◽  
T.W. Jeng ◽  
W. Chiu
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Biological Objects ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Density Map ◽  
Complex Crystal ◽  
High Resolution Microscopy

This tutorial will discuss the methodology of low dose electron diffraction and imaging of crystalline biological objects, the problems of data interpretation for two-dimensional projected density maps of glucose embedded protein crystals, the factors to be considered in combining tilt data from three-dimensional crystals, and finally, the prospects of achieving a high resolution three-dimensional density map of a biological crystal. This methodology will be illustrated using two proteins under investigation in our laboratory, the T4 DNA helix destabilizing protein gp32*I and the crotoxin complex crystal.

scholarly journals Seewis hantavirus in common shrew (Sorex araneus) in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Wesula Lwande ◽  
Nahla Mohamed ◽  
Göran Bucht ◽  
Clas Ahlm ◽  
Gert Olsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Shrew ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Sorex Araneus ◽  
Genome Segment ◽  
Cytochrome C Oxidase I ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Molecular Method ◽  
Typing Method ◽  
Common Shrew Sorex Araneus ◽  
Genetic Assay

Abstract Background Rodent borne hantaviruses are emerging viruses infecting humans through inhalation. They cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and hemorrhagic cardiopulmonary syndrome. Recently, hantaviruses have been detected in other small mammals such as Soricomorpha (shrews, moles) and Chiroptera (bats), suggested as reservoirs for potential pandemic viruses and to play a role in the evolution of hantaviruses. It is important to study the global virome in different reservoirs, therefore our aim was to investigate whether shrews in Sweden carried any hantaviruses. Moreover, to accurately determine the host species, we developed a molecular method for identification of shrews. Method Shrews (n = 198), caught during 1998 in Sweden, were screened with a pan-hantavirus PCR using primers from a conserved region of the large genome segment. In addition to morphological typing of shrews, we developed a molecular based typing method using sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome B (CytB) genes. PCR amplified hantavirus and shrew fragments were sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Results Hantavirus RNA was detected in three shrews. Sequencing identified the virus as Seewis hantavirus (SWSV), most closely related to previous isolates from Finland and Russia. All three SWSV sequences were retrieved from common shrews (Sorex araneus) sampled in Västerbotten County, Sweden. The genetic assay for shrew identification was able to identify native Swedish shrew species, and the genetic typing of the Swedish common shrews revealed that they were most similar to common shrews from Russia. Conclusion We detected SWSV RNA in Swedish common shrew samples and developed a genetic assay for shrew identification based on the COI and CytB genes. This was the first report of presence of hantavirus in Swedish shrews.

Nanoscale control of internal inhomogeneity enhances water transport in desalination membranes

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 371 (6524) ◽  
pp. 72-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler E. Culp ◽  
Biswajit Khara ◽  
Kaitlyn P. Brickey ◽  
Michael Geitner ◽  
Tawanda J. Zimudzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Transport ◽  
Water Permeability ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Nanoscale Structures ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Similar Chemical

Biological membranes can achieve remarkably high permeabilities, while maintaining ideal selectivities, by relying on well-defined internal nanoscale structures in the form of membrane proteins. Here, we apply such design strategies to desalination membranes. A series of polyamide desalination membranes—which were synthesized in an industrial-scale manufacturing line and varied in processing conditions but retained similar chemical compositions—show increasing water permeability and active layer thickness with constant sodium chloride selectivity. Transmission electron microscopy measurements enabled us to determine nanoscale three-dimensional polyamide density maps and predict water permeability with zero adjustable parameters. Density fluctuations are detrimental to water transport, which makes systematic control over nanoscale polyamide inhomogeneity a key route to maximizing water permeability without sacrificing salt selectivity in desalination membranes.

scholarly journals Capturing Enveloped Viruses on Affinity Grids for Downstream Cryo-Electron Microscopy Applications

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Kiss ◽  
Xuemin Chen ◽  
Melinda A. Brindley ◽  
Patricia Campbell ◽  
Claudio L. Afonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Measles Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Nitrilotriacetic Acid ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Virus

AbstractElectron microscopy (EM), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) are essential techniques used for characterizing basic virus morphology and determining the three-dimensional structure of viruses. Enveloped viruses, which contain an outer lipoprotein coat, constitute the largest group of pathogenic viruses to humans. The purification of enveloped viruses from cell culture presents certain challenges. Specifically, the inclusion of host-membrane-derived vesicles, the complete destruction of the viruses, and the disruption of the internal architecture of individual virus particles. Here, we present a strategy for capturing enveloped viruses on affinity grids (AG) for use in both conventional EM and cryo-EM/ET applications. We examined the utility of AG for the selective capture of human immunodeficiency virus virus-like particles, influenza A, and measles virus. We applied nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid lipid layers in combination with molecular adaptors to selectively adhere the viruses to the AG surface. This further development of the AG method may prove essential for the gentle and selective purification of enveloped viruses directly onto EM grids for ultrastructural analyses.

scholarly journals Study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PPF-1 biofilm formation using microfluidics: effect of magnesium on biofilm detachment in engineered conduits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Y. Harvey ◽  
Cynthia Gagné-Thivierge ◽  
Sepideh Fakari ◽  
Jean Barbeau ◽  
Steve Charette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Reference Strain ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Biofilm Detachment ◽  
Flow Systems ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in certain organisms, including humans, but can also survive and proliferate in natural and engineered water systems. Microfluidic technology can address hydrodynamic questions related to bacterial contamination of water flow systems and infrastructure. In this work, a microfluidic approach was devised to study the effect of shear stresses on biofilms from a dental unit waterline (DUWL)-isolated P. aeruginosa strain, PPF-1. During application of relevant shear stress levels to DUWLs, the response of the PPF-1 biofilm was observed and compared to a clinical P. aeruginosa reference strain, PAO1. The response measurements were repeated for biofilms exposed to additional Mg2+ ions. Using a microfluidic approach to transforming optical density maps into three-dimensional images, we applied computational fluid dynamics simulations and determined the critical shear stresses for biofilm sloughing. In the absence of Mg2+, PPF-1 biofilms showed weaker attachment than PAO1 biofilms, resulting in continuous slough/regrowth cycles triggered by applied shear stresses of 1.42 +/- 0.32 Pa. Introducing Mg2+ into the PPF-1 biofilm culture medium seemed to place the biofilm into a viscoplastic mechanical state, thereby increasing mechanical stability, which resulted in elevated tolerances to shear stresses up to a critical value of 5.43 +/- 1.52 Pa. This resulted in a propensity for less frequent but more catastrophic sloughing events like that observed for the PAO1 reference strain. This suggests that in a low ionic environment, biofilms from the PPF-1 strain can result in higher and more continuous ejection of biofilm materials, possibly leading to increased downstream colonization of engineered flow systems.

scholarly journals Nanogold as a Specific Marker for Electron Cryotomography

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongning He ◽  
Grant J. Jensen ◽  
Pamela J. Bjorkman
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Outer Surface ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fc Receptor ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Neonatal Fc Receptor ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
Nanogold Particles ◽  
Intracellular Vesicles ◽  
Electron Cryotomography

AbstractWhile electron cryotomography (ECT) provides “molecular” resolution, three-dimensional images of unique biological specimens, sample crowdedness, and/or resolution limitations can make it difficult to identify specific macromolecular components. Here we used a 1.4 nm Nanogold® cluster specifically attached to the Fc fragment of IgG to monitor its interaction with the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), a membrane-bound receptor that transports IgG across cells in acidic intracellular vesicles. ECT was used to image complexes formed by Nanogold-labeled Fc bound to FcRn attached to the outer surface of synthetic liposomes. In the resulting three-dimensional reconstructions, 1.4 nm Nanogold particles were distributed predominantly along the interfaces where 2:1 FcRn-Fc complexes bridged adjacent lipid bilayers. These results demonstrate that the 1.4 nm Nanogold cluster is visible in tomograms of typically thick samples (∼250 nm) recorded with defocuses appropriate for large macromolecules and is thus an effective marker.

Electron-density maps

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Blow
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Unit Cell ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Wave Cycle ◽  
Density Map ◽  
The Fourier Transform ◽  
Electron Density Map

When everything has been done to make the phases as good as possible, the time has come to examine the image of the structure in the form of an electron-density map. The electron-density map is the Fourier transform of the structure factors (with their phases). If the resolution and phases are good enough, the electron-density map may be interpreted in terms of atomic positions. In practice, it may be necessary to alternate between study of the electron-density map and the procedures mentioned in Chapter 10, which may allow improvements to be made to it. Electron-density maps contain a great deal of information, which is not easy to grasp. Considerable technical effort has gone into methods of presenting the electron density to the observer in the clearest possible way. The Fourier transform is calculated as a set of electron-density values at every point of a three-dimensional grid labelled with fractional coordinates x, y, z. These coordinates each go from 0 to 1 in order to cover the whole unit cell. To present the electron density as a smoothly varying function, values have to be calculated at intervals that are much smaller than the nominal resolution of the map. Say, for example, there is a protein unit cell 50 Å on a side, at a routine resolution of 2Å. This means that some of the waves included in the calculation of the electron density go through a complete wave cycle in 2 Å. As a rule of thumb, to represent this properly, the spacing of the points on the grid for calculation must be less than one-third of the resolution. In our example, this spacing might be 0.6 Å. To cover the whole of the 50 Å unit cell, about 80 values of x are needed; and the same number of values of y and z. The electron density therefore needs to be calculated on an array of 80×80×80 points, which is over half a million values. Although our world is three-dimensional, our retinas are two-dimensional, and we are good at looking at pictures and diagrams in two dimensions.

The phase problem and electron-density maps

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Pickworth Glusker ◽  
Kenneth N. Trueblood
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Fourier Series ◽  
Diffraction Pattern ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Bragg Reflection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Structure Factors ◽  
Unit Cells ◽  
Phase Angles

In order to obtain an image of the material that has scattered X rays and given a diffraction pattern, which is the aim of these studies, one must perform a three-dimensional Fourier summation. The theorem of Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier, a French mathematician and physicist, states that a continuous, periodic function can be represented by the summation of cosine and sine terms (Fourier, 1822). Such a set of terms, described as a Fourier series, can be used in diffraction analysis because the electron density in a crystal is a periodic distribution of scattering matter formed by the regular packing of approximately identical unit cells. The Fourier series that is used provides an equation that describes the electron density in the crystal under study. Each atom contains electrons; the higher its atomic number the greater the number of electrons in its nucleus, and therefore the higher its peak in an electrondensity map.We showed in Chapter 5 how a structure factor amplitude, |F (hkl)|, the measurable quantity in the X-ray diffraction pattern, can be determined if the arrangement of atoms in the crystal structure is known (Sommerfeld, 1921). Now we will show how we can calculate the electron density in a crystal structure if data on the structure factors, including their relative phase angles, are available. The Fourier series is described as a “synthesis” when it involves structure amplitudes and relative phases and builds up a picture of the electron density in the crystal. By contrast, a “Fourier analysis” leads to the components that make up this series. The term “relative” is used here because the phase of a Bragg reflection is described relative to that of an imaginary wave diffracted in the same direction at a chosen origin of the unit cell.

scholarly journals Nosocomial Transmission of Emerging Viruses via Aerosol-Generating Medical Procedures

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth D. Judson ◽  
Vincent J. Munster
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Nosocomial Transmission ◽  
Medical Procedures ◽  
Emerging Viruses ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Infection Control Guidelines

Recent nosocomial transmission events of emerging and re-emerging viruses, including Ebola virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Nipah virus, and Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus, have highlighted the risk of nosocomial transmission of emerging viruses in health-care settings. In particular, concerns and precautions have increased regarding the use of aerosol-generating medical procedures when treating patients with such viral infections. In spite of increasing associations between aerosol-generating medical procedures and the nosocomial transmission of viruses, we still have a poor understanding of the risks of specific procedures and viruses. In order to identify which aerosol-generating medical procedures and emerging viruses pose a high risk to health-care workers, we explore the mechanisms of aerosol-generating medical procedures, as well as the transmission pathways and characteristics of highly pathogenic viruses associated with nosocomial transmission. We then propose how research, both in clinical and experimental settings, could advance current infection control guidelines.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document