Cryo-electron microscopy of the surface protein of Sulfolobus shibatae

Using cryo-microscopy at liquid-helium temperature the authors have determined the projection structure of the surface layer of the archaebacterium Sulfolobus shibatae embedded in aurothioglucose to a resolution of 0.85 nm. Image analysis was performed in real space and incorporated a classification of unit cells thus taking into account the frequent occurrence of twin boundaries. In an attempt to identify resolution-limiting factors they have performed a distortion analysis quantifying the main distortion parameters. (21 References)