Acehan Devrim, Spoth Katherine A, Budziszewski Gabrielle R, Snell M Elizabeth, Campomizzi Christopher S, Lynch Miranda L, Bowman Sarah E J
Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, Department of Structural Biology, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
Cell Rep Phys Sci. 2024 Jun 19;5(6). doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2024.102007. Epub 2024 May 23.
Microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) is an emerging structural technique in which submicron crystals are used to generate diffraction data for structural studies. Structures allow for the study of molecular-level architecture and drive hypotheses about modes of action, mechanisms, dynamics, and interactions with other molecules. Combining cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) instrumentation with crystallographic techniques, MicroED has led to three-dimensional structural models of small molecules, peptides, and proteins and has generated tremendous interest due to its ability to use vanishingly small crystals. In this perspective, we describe the current state of the field for MicroED methodologies, including making and detecting crystals of the appropriate size for the technique, as well as ways to best handle and characterize these crystals. Our perspective provides insight into ways to unlock the full range of potential for MicroED to access previously intractable samples and describes areas of future development.
微晶电子衍射（MicroED）是一种新兴的结构分析技术，该技术使用亚微米级晶体来生成用于结构研究的衍射数据。结构研究有助于探究分子水平的架构，并推动关于作用模式、机制、动力学以及与其他分子相互作用的假设。通过将冷冻电子显微镜（cryo-EM）仪器与晶体学技术相结合，MicroED已构建出小分子、肽和蛋白质的三维结构模型，并因其能够使用极小晶体的能力而引发了极大关注。在本文中，我们描述了MicroED方法的当前领域现状，包括制备和检测适合该技术的尺寸晶体，以及最佳处理和表征这些晶体的方法。我们的观点为挖掘MicroED获取先前难以处理样品的全部潜力提供了思路，并描述了未来的发展方向。
