Biology subjects

Grigorieff, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Grigorieff, N..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Analysis of Local Variability and Allostery in Macromolecular Assemblies using Cryo-EM and Focused Classification

Single-particle electron cryo-microscopy and computational image classification can be used to analyze structural variability in macromolecules and their assemblies. In some cases, a particle may contain different regions that each display a range of distinct conformations. We have developed strategies, implemented within the Frealign and cisTEM image processing packages, to focus classify on specific regions of a particle and detect potential covariance. The strategies are based on masking the region of interest using either a 2-D mask applied to reference projections and particle images, or a 3-D mask applied to the 3-D volume. We show that focused classification approaches can be used to study structural allostery, a concept that is likely to gain more importance as datasets grow in size, allowing the distinction of more structural states and smaller differences between states. Finally, we apply the approaches to an experimental dataset containing the HIV-1 Transactivation Response (TAR) element RNA fused into the large bacterial ribosomal subunit, to deconvolve structural mobility within localized regions of interest.\n\nHighlightsO_LIDescription of different image classification strategies in single-particle cryo-EM\nC_LIO_LIQuantitative evaluation of two classification methods using simulated data\nC_LIO_LIApplication of the two classification methods to an experimental dataset\nC_LI

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2018

Structure of the ciliary axoneme at nanometer resolution reconstructed by TYGRESS

The resolution of subtomogram averages calculated from cryo-electron tomograms (cryo-ET) of crowded cellular environments is often limited due to signal loss in, and misalignment of the subtomograms. In contrast, single-particle cryo-electron microcopy (SP-cryo-EM) routinely reaches near-atomic resolution of isolated complexes. We developed a novel hybrid-method called \"TomographY-Guided 3D REconstruction of Subcellular Structures\" (TYGRESS) that combines cryo-ET with SP-cryo-EM to achieve close-to-nanometer resolution of complexes inside crowded environments. Using TYGRESS, we determined the native 3D structures of the intact ciliary axoneme with up to 12 [A] resolution. These results reveal many structures and details that were not visible by cryo-ET. TYGRESS is generally applicable to cellular complexes that are amenable to subtomogram averaging, bringing us a step closer to (pseudo-)atomic models of cells.\n\nOne Sentence SummaryA hybrid cryo-electron microscopy method reveals subcellular structures at unprecedented resolution.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Cryo-EM structure of an amyloid fibril from systemic amyloidosis

Systemic AA amyloidosis is a worldwide occurring disease of humans and animals that arises from the misfolding of serum amyloid A protein. To provide insights into the molecular basis of this disease we used electron cryo-microscopy and determined the structure of an ex vivo amyloid fibril purified from AA amyloidotic mice at 3.0 [A] resolution. The fibril consists of C-terminally truncated serum amyloid A protein arranged into a compactly folded all-{beta} conformation. The structure identifies the protein N-terminus as central for the assembly of this fibril and provides a mechanism for its prion-like replication. Our data further explain how amino acid substitutions within the tightly packed fibril core can lead to amyloid resistance in vivo.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2018

Mechanistic Origins of Dynamic Instability in Filaments from the Phage Tubulin, PhuZ

A bacteriophage-encoded tubulin homologue, PhuZ, harnesses dynamic instability to position genomes of KZ-like bacteriophage at the midline of their Pseudomonas hosts, facilitating phage infectivity. While much has been learned about molecular origins of microtubule dynamics, how GTP binding and hydrolysis control dynamics in the divergent 3-stranded PhuZ filaments is not understood. Here we present cryo-EM reconstructions of the PhuZ filamentin a pre-hydrolysis (3.5[A]) and three post-hydrolysis states (4.2 [A], 7.3 [A] and 8.1 [A] resolutions), likely representing distinct depolymerization stages. Core polymerization-induced structural changes reveal similarities to {beta}-tubulin, suggesting broad conservation within the tubulin family. By contrast, GTP hydrolysis is sensed quite differently and is communicated by the divergent PhuZ C-terminus to the lateral interface, leading to PhuZ polymer destabilization. This provides a contrasting molecular description of how nucleotide state can be harnessed by the tubulin fold to regulate filament assembly, metastability and disassembly.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

cisTEM: User-friendly software for single-particle image processing

We have developed new open-source software called cisTEM (computational imaging system for transmission electron microscopy) for the processing of data for high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy and single-particle averaging. cisTEM features a graphical user interface that is used to submit jobs, monitor their progress, and display results. It implements a full processing pipeline including movie processing, image defocus determination, automatic particle picking, 2D classification, ab-initio 3D map generation from random parameters, 3D classification, and high-resolution refinement and reconstruction. Some of these steps implement newly-developed algorithms; others were adapted from previously published algorithms. The software is optimized to enable processing of typical datasets (2000 micrographs, 200k - 300k particles) on a high-end, CPU-based workstation in half a day or less, comparable to GPU-accelerated processing. Jobs can also be scheduled on large computer clusters using flexible run profiles that can be adapted for most computing environments. cisTEM is available for download from cistem.org.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2016

Mechanism of ribosome rescue by ArfA and RF2

ArfA rescues ribosomes stalled on truncated mRNAs by recruiting the release factor RF2, which normally binds stop codons to catalyze peptide release. We report two 3.2-[A] resolution cryo-EM structures - determined from a single sample - of the 70S ribosome with ArfA*RF2 in the A site. In both states, the ArfA C-terminus occupies the mRNA tunnel downstream of the A site. One state contains a compact inactive RF2 conformation, hitherto unobserved in 70S termination complexes. Ordering of the ArfA N-terminus in the second state rearranges RF2 into an extended conformation that docks the catalytic GGQ motif into the peptidyl-transferase center. Our work thus reveals the structural dynamics of ribosome rescue. The structures demonstrate how ArfA \"senses\" the vacant mRNA tunnel and activates RF2 to mediate peptide release without a stop codon, allowing stalled ribosomes to be recycled.

biochemistry↗