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Biomedical subjects

A Verschoor

Publications and source records attributed to A Verschoor.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Eukaryotic initiation factor 3 does not prevent association through physical blockage of the ribosomal subunit-subunit interface.

The "native" 40 S ribosomal subunit, in which the protein eukaryotic initiation factor 3 is bound to the 40 S small ribosomal subunit, has been reconstructed to 48 A resolution. Comparison with a previous three-dimensional reconstruction of the "derived" 40 S subunit lacking any non-ribosomal components reveals the attachment site and morphology of the factor. It is a large (approximately 165 to 170 A long), bilobed, elongate structure, attached to the back lobes of the 40 S subunit by two strand-like features. Significantly, the factor is oriented away from the 60 S-subunit-40 S-subunit interface surface of the 40 S particle, suggesting that its anti-association activity is not accomplished via simple physical blockage of that surface.

Animals

Three-dimensional structure of the mammalian cytoplasmic ribosome.

A three-dimensional reconstruction of the 80 S ribosome from rabbit reticulocytes has been calculated from low-dose electron micrographs of a negatively stained single-particle specimen. At 37 A resolution, the precise orientations of the 40 S and 60 S subunits within the monosome can be discerned. The translational domain centered on the upper portion of the subunit/subunit interface is quite open, allowing considerable space between the subunits for interactions with the non-ribosomal macromolecules involved in protein synthesis. Further, the cytosolic side of the monosome is strikingly more open than the membrane-attachment side, suggesting a greater ease of communication with the cytoplasm, which would facilitate the inwards and outwards diffusion of a number of ligands. Although the 60 S subunit portion of the 80 S structure shows essentially all of the major morphological features identified for the eubacterial 50 S large subunit, it appears to possess a region of additional mass that evidently accounts for the more ellipsoidal form of the eukaryotic subunit.

Animals

Three-dimensional reconstruction of mammalian 40 S ribosomal subunit.

The small (40 S) subunit from rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes has been reconstructed from electron micrographs of a negatively stained single-particle specimen to a resolution of 3.85 nm. The reconstruction reveals a morphology consisting of a broad wedge-shaped head structure set atop a quasi-cylindrical body. Distinctive features recognized in two-dimensional projections, such as the beak, back lobes, and feet, can now be localized in three dimensions. By reference to a recent reconstruction of the monomeric 80 S ribosome we can identify the interface and exterior surfaces of the subunit, thus enabling more detailed functional interpretations.

Animals

Classification of images of biomolecular assemblies: a study of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli.

Images of macromolecules obtained in the electron microscope are subjected to correspondence analysis. The structure inherent in the data in the resulting low-dimensional factor space is characterized by a mixed classification method which combines the dynamic clouds clustering technique with hierarchical ascendant classification (HAC). For our data, the rejection of marginal clusters obtained by dynamic clouds clustering appears as a crucial prerequisite for a stable performance of HAC. The method is applied to two sets of 204 and 177 images that show the 70S ribosome of Escherichia coli, in the range of overlap views as defined by A. Verschoor and co-workers, and to two sets of 480 and 496 images of the 50S subunit of E. coli depleted of L7/L12 proteins in the well-defined crown view. Reproducible classes are obtained, which are characterized by images reconstituted from factorial coordinates. These classes appear to be related to different orientations on the specimen grid (in the case of the 70S particle) and to different conformational states (50S subunit).

Escherichia coli

Three-dimensional structure of the large ribosomal subunit from Escherichia coli.

The three-dimensional structure of the large (50S) ribosomal subunit from Escherichia coli has been determined from electron micrographs of negatively stained specimens. A new method of three-dimensional reconstruction was used which combines many images of individual subunits recorded at a single high tilt angle. A prominent feature of the reconstruction is a large groove on the side of the subunit that interacts with the small ribosomal subunit. This feature is probably of functional significance as it includes the regions where the peptidyl transferase site and the binding locations of the elongation factors have been mapped previously by immunoelectron microscopy.

Escherichia coli

Three-dimensional reconstruction from a single-exposure, random conical tilt series applied to the 50S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli.

We present a new reconstruction method that takes advantage of the fact that many biological macromolecular assemblies show a preferred orientation with respect to the plane of the specimen grid in the electron microscopic preparation. From one micrograph taken of such a specimen tilted by a large angle, a conical tilt series with random azimuthal angles can be extracted and used for a three-dimensional reconstruction. Our technique allows the determination of the molecular structure under low-dose conditions, which are not achievable with reconstruction methods that use conventional tilt series. The reconstruction method combines a number of existing image processing techniques with a newly developed weighted back-projection algorithm designed for three-dimensional reconstruction from projections taken with arbitrary projecting directions. The method is described as it was applied to the three-dimensional reconstruction of the structure of the 50S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Escherichia coli

Computer-averaged views of the 70 S monosome from Escherichia coli.

The prokaryotic (70 S) monosome, composed of a roughly hemispherical 50 S large subunit and an elongate 30 S small subunit, appears in the electron micrograph in only a few common views representing the small number of preferred orientations assumed by the particle. Two of these, termed O and L views, have previously been characterized as the overlap and non-overlap projections; a third view, which we term the R view, represents the other endpoint of a rotational continuum with the overlap or O view. Tilt studies enabled us to calibrate this range as spanning approximately 50 degrees. The disjunct set of L views was averaged, and the reproducible resolution was determined to be 1/3.5 nm-1. The combined sets of O and R views were analyzed by correspondence analysis, and a continuous "rotation series" of subaverages was obtained. Interpretation of the views in the light of what is known about the morphologies of the individual subunits allows a general picture of the mutual fit of the subunits in the monosome to be conceived.

Computers

Investigation of the 50 S ribosomal subunit by electron microscopy and image analysis.

In electron micrographs of 50 S (large) subunits from Escherichia coli ribosomes, the highly preferred crown view is inferred to represent the roughly hemispherical particle lying with its flat or concave face against the carbon film. Single particle averaging allows the reproducible details of the crown view particle to be recognized. Multivariate image analysis shows the most variable morphological features of this view to be the two side protrusions, the L7/L12 stalk and the L1 ridge, both of which show apparent positional variations. The invariance of the features of the particle body implies that the movements of the side protrusions are not merely a result of perspective changes produced by major rotations of the particle body out of its quasistable, flat-lying position. A bending point localized on the L7/L12 stalk is conjectured to represent a functional "hinge" that may be related to the secondary/tertiary structure of the L7/L12 dimeric protein.

Escherichia coli