Unexpected property of trehalose as observed by cryo-electron microscopy

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_ED74C2693315
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Unexpected property of trehalose as observed by cryo-electron microscopy
Journal
Journal of Microscopy
Author(s)
De Carlo  S., Adrian  M., Kalin  P., Mayer  J. M., Dubochet  J.
ISSN
0022-2720 (Print)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
10/1999
Volume
196
Number
1
Pages
40-45
Notes
Journal article --- Old month value: Oct
Abstract
Trehalose is an agent useful in maintaining the integrity of many biological systems submitted to various stresses. It is also presumed to improve specimen preparation for electron microscopy and to reduce beam damage. Here we study the effect of trehalose on the preparation and observation by cryo-electron microscopy of thin vitrified films of biological suspensions. We observe that trehalose, as compared to sucrose, can indeed reduce electron beam damage to biological particles, as determined from the dose necessary for the onset of bubbling. Surprisingly, we also find that the contrast of biological particles is higher in a vitrified solution of trehalose than in one of sucrose. This effect can be explained if the water evaporation during the specimen preparation is less in the presence of trehalose than with sucrose, but we do not yet understand the underlying reasons since the evaporation properties of both sugars are similar at a macroscopic level. We conclude that trehalose is truly a remarkable substance and that more investigation is needed in order to fully understand its properties, and that the addition of ca. 3-5% trehalose to biological suspensions is a simple and useful method to reduce commonly arising drying artefacts and water evaporation in the thin film vitrification method.
Pubmed
Create date
24/01/2008 10:25
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:15
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