A Study of Potassium Permanganate ‘Fixation’ for Electron Microscopy

1960 ◽  
Vol s3-101 (55) ◽  
pp. 241-250
Author(s):  
S. BRADBURY ◽  
G. A. MEEK
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Granular Material ◽  
Potassium Permanganate ◽  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
Protein Complexes

The action of buffered potassium permanganate as a fixative for electron microscopy has been investigated. Electron contrast has been shown to be produced by the deposition of granular material in the tissue. The particles are about 50 Å in diameter. Actual fixation of the tissue is performed by the dehydrating alcohol. Histochemical studies have shown that RNA and histones are removed, whereas phospholipid-protein complexes are ‘unmasked’. The reaction of the permanganate with unmasked protein gives rise to high membrane contrast in electron micrographs.

Some Structural Features of Metaphase Chromosomes of Mice and Men

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 190-191
Author(s):  
Godfrey C. Hoskins ◽  
Betty B. Hoskins
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Metaphase Chromosomes ◽  
The Future ◽  
Of Mice And Men ◽  
Mouse Cells ◽  
Human And Mouse

Metaphase chromosomes from human and mouse cells in vitro are isolated by micrurgy, fixed, and placed on grids for electron microscopy. Interpretations of electron micrographs by current methods indicate the following structural features.Chromosomal spindle fibrils about 200Å thick form fascicles about 600Å thick, wrapped by dense spiraling fibrils (DSF) less than 100Å thick as they near the kinomere. Such a fascicle joins the future daughter kinomere of each metaphase chromatid with those of adjacent non-homologous chromatids to either side. Thus, four fascicles (SF, 1-4) attach to each metaphase kinomere (K). It is thought that fascicles extend from the kinomere poleward, fray out to let chromosomal fibrils act as traction fibrils against polar fibrils, then regroup to join the adjacent kinomere.

Electron Microscopy and image analysis of nucleo-protein complexes

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 88-89
Author(s):  
E. H. Egelman ◽  
X. Yu
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Image Analysis ◽  
Normal Cell ◽  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽  
Reca Protein ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Helical Polymer ◽  
Specific Protease

The RecA protein of E. coli has been shown to mediate genetic recombination, regulate its own synthesis, control the expression of other genes, act as a specific protease, form a helical polymer and have an ATPase activity, among other observed properties. The unusual filament formed by the RecA protein on DNA has not previously been shown to exist outside of bacteria. Within this filament, the 36 Å pitch of B-form DNA is extended to about 95 Å, the pitch of the RecA helix. We have now establishedthat similar nucleo-protein complexes are formed by bacteriophage and yeast proteins, and availableevidence suggests that this structure is universal across all of biology, including humans. Thus, understanding the function of the RecA protein will reveal basic mechanisms, in existence inall organisms, that are at the foundation of general genetic recombination and repair.Recombination at this moment is assuming an importance far greater than just pure biology. The association between chromosomal rearrangements and neoplasms has become stronger and stronger, and these rearrangements are most likely products of the recombinatory apparatus of the normal cell. Further, damage to DNA appears to be a major cause of cancer.

scholarly journals Application of Cryo-Electron Microscopy on Drug Discovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (S1) ◽  
pp. 3250-3250
Author(s):  
Viswanath Vittaladevaram ◽  
Kranthi Kuruti
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Lead Discovery ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Biological Targets ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Drug Molecules ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules ◽  
Novel Drug

AbstractThe key aspect for development of novel drug molecules is to perform structural determination of target molecule associated with its ligand. One such tool that provides insights towards structure of molecule is Cryo-electron microscopy which covers biological targets that are intractable. Examination of proteins can be carried out in native state, as the samples are frozen at -175 degree Celsius i.e. cryogenic temperatures. In addition to this, there were no limits for molecular and functional structures of proteins that can be imagined in 3-dimensional form. This includes ligands which unravel mechanisms that are biologically relevant. This will enable to better understand the mechanisms that are used for development of new therapeutics. Application of Cryo-electron microscopy is not limited to protein complexes and is considered as non-specific. Intervention of Cryo-EM would allow to analyse the structures and also able to dissect the interaction with therapeutic molecules. The study determines the usage of cryo-EM for providing resolutions that are acceptable for lead discovery. It also provides support for lead optimization and also for discovery of vaccines and therapeutics.

Ultrastructure of the cercomer of the metacestodeMicrosomacanthus paraparvulaRegel, 1994 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-488
Author(s):  
N.A. Pospekhova ◽  
K.V. Regel
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Granular Material ◽  
Outer Surface ◽  
Long Tail ◽  
Early Appearance ◽  
Dense Membrane ◽  
Transmission Electron

AbstractInvestigations were undertaken using light and transmission electron microscopy to clearly delineate the morphology of the cercomer, i.e. the protective envelopes and tail appendage, in cysticercoids ofMicrosomacanthus paraparvula, which develop in the haemocoel of the caddiswormGrensia praeterita(Insecta: Trichoptera). Two protective envelopes, the exocyst and endocyst, were identified. The non-cellular exocyst is found to consist of granular material and of thin, dense membrane-like layers, which are located parallel to each other. The exocyst of the mature metacestode tightly adjoins the outer surface of the endocyst, containing prospective parts (the scolex and the neck), except for the areas at its poles. A long tail appendage is located outside the exocyst. Evidence was found to indicate the existence of active synthetic processes occurring in the tail appendage. Non-cellular exocysts are widely distributed within metacestodes of the families Hymenolepididae and Dilepididae, and, presumably, are formed by means of glandular secretions from the oncosphere, given the early appearance of non-cellular exocysts in ontogeny.

scholarly journals Electron microscopy snapshots of single particles from single cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 294 (5) ◽  
pp. 1602-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiunan Yi ◽  
Eric J. Verbeke ◽  
Yiran Chang ◽  
Daniel J. Dickinson ◽  
David W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Single Particle ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Particle Analysis ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Single Particle Analysis ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Potential Applications

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has become an indispensable tool for structural studies of biological macromolecules. Two additional predominant methods are available for studying the architectures of multiprotein complexes: 1) single-particle analysis of purified samples and 2) tomography of whole cells or cell sections. The former can produce high-resolution structures but is limited to highly purified samples, whereas the latter can capture proteins in their native state but has a low signal-to-noise ratio and yields lower-resolution structures. Here, we present a simple, adaptable method combining microfluidic single-cell extraction with single-particle analysis by EM to characterize protein complexes from individual Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. Using this approach, we uncover 3D structures of ribosomes directly from single embryo extracts. Moreover, we investigated structural dynamics during development by counting the number of ribosomes per polysome in early and late embryos. This approach has significant potential applications for counting protein complexes and studying protein architectures from single cells in developmental, evolutionary, and disease contexts.

Electron microscopy of biotinylated protein complexes bound to streptavidin monolayer crystals

2012 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bong-Gyoon Han ◽  
Ross W. Walton ◽  
Amos Song ◽  
Peter Hwu ◽  
Milton T. Stubbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Protein Complexes

Combining Electron Microscopy (EM) and Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry (XL-MS) for Structural Characterization of Protein Complexes

2021 ◽  
pp. 217-232
Author(s):  
Lucía Quintana-Gallardo ◽  
Moisés Maestro-López ◽  
Jaime Martín-Benito ◽  
Miguel Marcilla ◽  
Daniel Rutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Structural Characterization ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Cross Linking

Cytoplasmic surface and intramembrane components of rat heart gap junctional proteins

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (6) ◽  
pp. H865-H875 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Manjunath ◽  
G. E. Goings ◽  
E. Page
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
Rat Heart ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Cytoplasmic Surface ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Junction Protein ◽  
Major Protein Band

Gap junctions were purified from rat hearts in the presence of absence of proteolysis inhibitors and examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electron microscopy of thin sections. In absence of proteolysis inhibitors or in presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or leupeptin, gap junctions contained a single major protein band at relative molecular weight (Mr) 29,500 and minor bands at Mr 44,000–47,000, 17,750, and 16,500 and showed smooth cytoplasmic surfaces in electron micrographs. SDS-PAGE of junctions prepared with phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) showed markedly decreased intensity of the Mr 29,500 band and increased intensity of bands at Mr 44,000, 45,500, and 47,000; electron microscopy of these gap junctions showed presence of a fuzzy layer on their cytoplasmic surfaces. Urea (8 M) could not remove this fuzzy layer. In electron micrographs of rat ventricular myocytes, cytoplasmic surfaces of gap junctions were fuzzy. We conclude that rat heart gap junction protein consists of an intramembrane component (Mr 29,500) that extends into the “gap” and a cytoplasmic surface component (Mr 14,500–17,500) that corresponds to the fuzzy layer and is hydrolyzable by a serine protease.

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