Protein-A gold particles as markers in replica immunocytochemistry: high resolution electron microscope investigations of plasma membrane surfaces.

Due to their high atomic number contrast in transmission electron microscopy, gold particles are ideal markers in surface replicas of cultured cells. The suitability of protein-A-coated gold particles in replica immunocytochemistry for labelling surface antigens is demonstrated using measles virus-infected cells as a model system. Labelled areas can easily be distinguished from unlabelled areas, and even markers positioned in the evaporation shadow of large structures can be accurately identified, which is a prerequisite for an exact quantification and mapping of antigen. In addition, the ultrastructure of labelled areas can still be visualized because of the small size of the marker.