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Super-resolution fluorescence imaging of cryosamples does not limit achievable resolution in cryoEM

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Abstract

Correlated super-resolution cryo-fluorescence and cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) has been gaining popularity as a method to investigate biological samples with high resolution and specificity. A concern in this combined method (called SR-cryoCLEM), however, is whether and how fluorescence imaging prior to cryoEM acquisition is detrimental to sample integrity. In this report, we investigated the effect of high-dose laser light irradiation on apoferritin samples prepared for cryoEM with excitation wavelengths commonly used in fluorescence microscopy, and comparing these samples to controls that were kept in the dark. We found that laser illumination, of equal duration and intensity as used in super-resolution cryomicroscopy and in the presence of high concentrations of fluorescent protein, did not affect the achievable resolution in cryoEM, with final reconstructions reaching resolutions of ~1.8 Angstrom regardless of the illumination conditions. The finding that super-resolution fluorescence imaging of cryosamples prior to cryoEM data acquisition does not limit the achievable resolution suggests that super-resolution cryo-fluorescence microscopy and in situ structural biology using cryoEM are entirely compatible.

Authors 4

  1. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

  2. Leiden University

    Affiliation as printed

    Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy, Leiden University, 2333 AL, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy, Leiden University, 333 AL, Leiden, The Netherlands

  3. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

  4. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

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References 27