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Related Concept Videos

Cryo-electron Microscopy01:28

Cryo-electron Microscopy

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Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
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Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 14, 2026

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Imaging complement by phase-plate cryo-electron tomography from initiation to pore formation.

Thomas H Sharp1, Frank G A Faas1, Abraham J Koster2

  • 1Section Electron Microscopy, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.

Journal of Structural Biology
|September 25, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Volta phase plate cryo-electron tomography enhanced contrast for visualizing human complement system activation. This technique revealed details of C1 binding, C4b/C3b deposition, and membrane attack complex pore formation.

Keywords:
C1ComplementElectron tomographyMembrane attack complexPhase plate

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Area of Science:

  • Structural biology
  • Molecular immunology
  • Cryo-electron microscopy

Background:

  • The human complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
  • Understanding complement activation at a molecular level is vital for disease research.
  • Cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) offers high-resolution imaging of biomolecular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply Volta phase plate cryoET to visualize the human complement system activation cascade.
  • To improve contrast and interpretability of molecular complexes in dense environments.
  • To investigate early steps of complement activation, including C1 binding and membrane attack complex (MAC) formation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a Titan Krios microscope with a Volta phase plate and Falcon-II detector.
  • Performed cryo-electron tomography on samples of activated human complement.
  • Analyzed tomograms to identify molecular structures and their arrangements.

Main Results:

  • Observed C1 binding to antibody complexes, with some instances of protease dissociation.
  • Visualized extensive deposition of C4b and C3b molecules.
  • Documented the formation of single and composite MAC pores, including potential soluble-MAC dissociation.

Conclusions:

  • Volta phase plate cryoET significantly enhances contrast for studying complex molecular processes.
  • The technology aids in interpreting individual components during complement activation.
  • Further optimization is needed to overcome limitations like phase shift variability for complete interpretability.