Characteristic electron microscopical projections of the small ribosomal subunit from Thermomyces lanuginosus

Multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical ascendant classification techniques have been used to sort electron images of small ribosomal subunits from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus into their characteristic views. Three predominant modes of adsorption to the support were elucidated: right-lateral, left-lateral and asymmetric, showing reproducible detail approaching 1.8 nm resolution. The projections of the fungal complexes appeared almost identical to those of HeLa cells, rat liver and rabbit reticulocytes studied previously in this manner. This result contrasts with the greater variation in fine structural features observed between ribosomal subunits from different prokaryotic species.