2020Wu Review

Citation

Wu, M.; Lander, G. C. How low can we go? Structure determination of small biological complexes using single-particle cryo-EM. Current Opinion in Structural Biology, 2020, 64, 9-16

Abstract

For decades, high-resolution structural studies of biological macromolecules with masses of <200 kDa by cryo-EM singleparticle analysis were considered infeasible. It was not until several years after the advent of direct detectors that the overlooked potential of cryo-EM for studying small complexes was first realized. Subsequent advances in sample preparation, imaging, and data processing algorithms have improved our ability to visualize small biological targets. In the past two years alone, nearly two hundred high-resolution structures have been determined of small (<200 kDa) macromolecules, the smallest being approximately 39 kDa in molecular weight. Here we summarize some salient lessons and strategies for cryo-EM studies of small biological complexes, and also consider future prospects for routine structure determination.

Links

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959440X20300841