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A STEM approach to the study of the proteinaceous architecture of a ribosome
Author(s) -
Curgy J. J.,
Iftode F.,
Perasso R.,
André J.,
Mory C.,
Colliex C.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1111/j.1768-322x.1984.tb00271.x
Subject(s) - ribosome , biology , tetrahymena pyriformis , ribosome inactivating protein , eukaryotic ribosome , contrast (vision) , tetrahymena , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , optics , rna , biochemistry , gene
We used a high‐resolution STEM to attempt to recognize the spatial localization of the macromolecular components of ribosomes isolated from Tetrahymena pyriformis. Images obtained either by the annular dark field detector or by the ratio‐contrast mode (Z‐contrast) show a ribosome as constituted of rounded dark areas, the number and size of which are compatible with those of the protein molecules recognized by biochemistry. Images of different ribosomes, when similar orientations are observed, exhibit a roughly constant pattern of the dark areas. A set of images of a tilted ribosome allows to recognize that some masses are in fact two more superimposed components. We propose that the dark areas represent essentially the proteinaceous architecture of the ribosome.