使用非接触式原子力显微镜对DNA和核小体进行超高分辨率成像。

Ultra-high resolution imaging of DNA and nucleosomes using non-contact atomic force microscopy.

作者信息

Davies Emma, Teng Kar Seng, Conlan Robert Steven, Wilks Stephen Patrick

机构信息

Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, School of Engineering, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.

出版信息

FEBS Lett. 2005 Mar 14;579(7):1702-6. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.02.028.

DOI:10.1016/j.febslet.2005.02.028

PMID:15757664

Abstract

Visualisation of nano-scale biomolecules aids understanding and development in molecular biology and nanotechnology. Detailed structure of nucleosomes adsorbed to mica has been captured in the absence of chemical-anchoring techniques, demonstrating the usefulness of non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) for ultra-high resolution biomolecular imaging. NC-AFM offers significant advantages in terms of resolution, speed and ease of sample preparation when compared to techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography. In the absence of chemical modification, detailed structure of DNA deposited on a gold substrate was observed for the first time using NC-AFM, opening up possibilities for investigating the electrical properties of unmodified DNA.

摘要

纳米级生物分子的可视化有助于分子生物学和纳米技术的理解与发展。在没有化学锚定技术的情况下，已捕捉到吸附在云母上的核小体的详细结构，这证明了非接触原子力显微镜（NC-AFM）在超高分辨率生物分子成像方面的实用性。与冷冻电子显微镜和X射线晶体学等技术相比，NC-AFM在分辨率、速度和样品制备的简便性方面具有显著优势。在没有化学修饰的情况下，首次使用NC-AFM观察到沉积在金基底上的DNA的详细结构，为研究未修饰DNA的电学性质开辟了可能性。