Yang X R, Miller M A, Yang R, Evans D F, Edstrom R D
Center for Interfacial Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
FASEB J. 1990 Oct;4(13):3140-3. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.4.13.2210158.
Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has been used to examine glycogen molecules. Individual molecules were approximately ellipsoidal with dimensions in the 20- to 60-nm range. Images of the glycogen molecular surfaces have a laminar appearance. The layered features seen on the surfaces of the molecules suggest that glycogen may grow from one edge as a laminar structure to form an ellipsoid rather than originating at a central point with radial growth of the oligosaccharide chains to form a sphere. The results of these studies indicate that STM can be used to determine details of polysaccharide structures.
