Work

Mass spectrometers as cryoEM grid preparation instruments

Year: 2023

Type: review

Abstract: Structure determination by single-particle cryoEM has matured into a core structural biology technique. Despite many methodological advancements, most cryoEM grids are still prepared using the plunge-freezing method developed ∼40 years ago. Embedding samples in thin films and exposing them to the air-water interface often leads to sample damage and preferential orientation of the particles. Using native mass spectrometry to create cryoEM samples, potentially avoids these problems and allows the use of mass spectrometry sample isolation techniques during EM grid creation. We review the recent publications that have demonstrated protein complexes can be ionized, flown through the mass spectrometer, gently landed onto EM grids, imaged, and reconstructed in 3D. Although many uncertainties and challenges remain, the combination of cryoEM and MS has great potential.

Source: Current Opinion in Structural Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102699

Authors: Michael S. Westphall, Kenneth W. Lee, Austin Z. Salome, Joshua J. Coon, Timothy Grant

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Morgridge Institute for Research

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Structural Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,530

Funders: University of Wisconsin-Madison, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences