Single particle analysis, which can be regarded as an average of signals from thousands or even millions of particle projections, is an efficient method to study the three-dimensional structures of biological macro- m...Single particle analysis, which can be regarded as an average of signals from thousands or even millions of particle projections, is an efficient method to study the three-dimensional structures of biological macro- molecules. An intrinsic assumption in single particle analysis is that all the analyzed particles must have identical composition and conformation. Thus specimen heterogeneity in either composition or conformation has raised great challenges for high-resolution analysis. For particles with multiple conformations, inaccurate align- ments and orientation parameters will yield an averaged map with diminished resolution and smeared density. Besides extensive classification approaches, here based on the assumption that the macromolecular complex is made up of multiple rigid modules whose relative orien- tations and positions are in slight fluctuation around equilibriums, we propose a new method called as local optimization refinement to address this conformational heterogeneity for an improved resolution. The key idea is to optimize the orientation and shift parameters of each rigid module and then reconstruct their three-dimen- sional structures individually. Using simulated data of 80S/70S ribosomes with relative fluctuations between the large （60S/50S） and the small （40S/30S） subunits, we tested this algorithm and found that the resolutions of both subunits are significantly improved. Our method provides a proof-of-principle solution for high-resolutionsingle particle analysis of macromolecular complexes with dynamic conformations.展开更多
Bio-macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, are the basic materials that perform fundamental activities required for life. Their structural heterogeneities and dynamic personalities are vital to understand...Bio-macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, are the basic materials that perform fundamental activities required for life. Their structural heterogeneities and dynamic personalities are vital to understand the underlying functional mechanisms of bio-macromolecules. With the rapid development of advanced technologies such as single-molecule tech- nologies and cryo-electron microscopy （cryo-EM）, an increasing number of their structural details and mechanics properties at molecular level have significantly raised awareness of basic life processes. In this review, firstly the basic principles of single-molecule method and cryo-EM are summarized, to shine a light on the development in these fields. Secondly, recent progress driven by the above two methods are underway to explore the dynamic structures and functions of DNA, antibody, and lipoprotein. Finally, an outlook is provided for the further research on both the dynamic structures and functions of bio-macromolecules, through single-molecule method and cryo-EM combining with molecular dynamics simulations.展开更多
文摘Single particle analysis, which can be regarded as an average of signals from thousands or even millions of particle projections, is an efficient method to study the three-dimensional structures of biological macro- molecules. An intrinsic assumption in single particle analysis is that all the analyzed particles must have identical composition and conformation. Thus specimen heterogeneity in either composition or conformation has raised great challenges for high-resolution analysis. For particles with multiple conformations, inaccurate align- ments and orientation parameters will yield an averaged map with diminished resolution and smeared density. Besides extensive classification approaches, here based on the assumption that the macromolecular complex is made up of multiple rigid modules whose relative orien- tations and positions are in slight fluctuation around equilibriums, we propose a new method called as local optimization refinement to address this conformational heterogeneity for an improved resolution. The key idea is to optimize the orientation and shift parameters of each rigid module and then reconstruct their three-dimen- sional structures individually. Using simulated data of 80S/70S ribosomes with relative fluctuations between the large （60S/50S） and the small （40S/30S） subunits, we tested this algorithm and found that the resolutions of both subunits are significantly improved. Our method provides a proof-of-principle solution for high-resolutionsingle particle analysis of macromolecular complexes with dynamic conformations.
基金Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No.2015CB856304)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11504287 and 11774279)
文摘Bio-macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, are the basic materials that perform fundamental activities required for life. Their structural heterogeneities and dynamic personalities are vital to understand the underlying functional mechanisms of bio-macromolecules. With the rapid development of advanced technologies such as single-molecule tech- nologies and cryo-electron microscopy （cryo-EM）, an increasing number of their structural details and mechanics properties at molecular level have significantly raised awareness of basic life processes. In this review, firstly the basic principles of single-molecule method and cryo-EM are summarized, to shine a light on the development in these fields. Secondly, recent progress driven by the above two methods are underway to explore the dynamic structures and functions of DNA, antibody, and lipoprotein. Finally, an outlook is provided for the further research on both the dynamic structures and functions of bio-macromolecules, through single-molecule method and cryo-EM combining with molecular dynamics simulations.
