Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electron tomography of biological samples

  • Review
  • Published:
Biochemistry (Moscow) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electron tomography allows computing three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of objects from their projections recorded at several angles. Combined with transmission electron microscopy, electron tomography has contributed greatly to the understanding of subcellular structures and organelles. Performed on frozen-hydrated samples, electron tomography has yielded useful information about complex biological structures. Combined with energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) it can be used to analyze the spatial distribution of chemical elements in biological or material sciences samples. In the present review, we present an overview of the requirements, applications, and perspectives of electron tomography in structural biology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. S. Carlo ParticleDe C. El-Bez C. Alvarez-Rua J. Borge J. Dubochet (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 216–226 Occurrence Handle12217660

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. M. Adrian J. Dubochet S. D. Fuller J. R. Harris (1998) Micron 29 145–160 Occurrence Handle9684350 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXltFGitbo%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. J. Lepault J. Dubochet (1986) Meth. Enzymol. 127 719–730 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0076-6879(86)27056-1 Occurrence Handle3736433 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2sXmtlyjsw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. J. Ruprecht J. Nield (2001) Progr. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 75 121–164 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslSisr0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. J. Frank (1989) Electron. Microsc. Rev. 2 53–74 Occurrence Handle2491342 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6A2MrmsF0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. W. Baumeister (2002) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 12 679–684 Occurrence Handle12464323 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xos1Wrsrg%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. W. Baumeister R. Grimm J. Walz (1999) Trends. Cell. Biol. 9 81–85 Occurrence Handle10087625 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M7oslGruw%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. J. Frank T. Wagenknecht B. F. McEwen M. Marko C. E. Hsieh C. A. Mannella (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 85–91 Occurrence Handle12160704

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. C. E. Hsieh M. Marko J. Frank C. Mannella (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 63–73 Occurrence Handle12160702

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. B. F. McEwen M. Marko C. E. Hsieh C. Mannella (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 47–57 Occurrence Handle12160700

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. B. F. McEwen J. Frank (2001) Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 11 594–600 Occurrence Handle11595494 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXntlyisr8%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. J. Frank (1992) Electron Tomography. Three Dimensional Imaging with the Transmission Electron Microscope Plenum Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  13. B. McEwen M. Marko (2001) J. Histochem. Cytochem. 49 553–564 Occurrence Handle11304793 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjs1ahsrc%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. M. S. Ladinsky C. C. Wu S. McIntosh J. R. McIntosh K. E. Howell (2002) Mol. Biol. Cell. 13 2810–2825 Occurrence Handle12181348 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XmsVKlsLg%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. C. A. Mannella (2001) Meth. Cell Biol. 65 245–256 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38%2FhtVyltw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. O’Toole, E. T., Giddings, T. H., McIntosh, J. R., and Dutcher, S. K. (2003) Mol. Biol. Cell., 14, 2999–3012.

    Google Scholar 

  17. B. Shillito A. J. Koster J. Walz W. Baumeister (1996) Biol.Cell 88 5–13

    Google Scholar 

  18. J. Bohm O. Lambert A. S. Frangakis L. Letellier W. Baumeister J. L. Rigaud (2001) Curr. Biol. 11 1168–1175 Occurrence Handle11516947 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmtFWhsbg%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. R. A. Horowitz A. J. Koster J. Walz C. L. Woodcock (1997) J. Struct. Biol. 120 353–362 Occurrence Handle9441938 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7htVaqtg%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. M. Moritz M. B. Braunfeld J. W. Sedat B. Alberts D. A. Agard (1995) Nature 378 638–640 Occurrence Handle8524401 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXpvVChsbY%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. M. Moritz M. B. Braunfeld V. Guenebaut J. Heuser D. A. Agard (2000) Nat. Cell Biol. 2 365–370 Occurrence Handle10854328 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXlt1SlsL4%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. R. W. Horne (1978) J. Microsc. 113 241–256 Occurrence Handle361958 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSaD2M%2Flt1M%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. J. Marle ParticleVan A. Dietrich K. Jonges R. Jonges E. de Moor A. Vink P. Boon H. Veen Particlevan (1995) Microsc. Res. Tech. 31 311–316 Occurrence Handle7549005

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. J. Dubochet (1995) Trends Cell Biol. 5 366–368 Occurrence Handle14732080 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD2c%2Fjt1yltA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. O. Medalia D. Typke R. Hegerl M. Angenitzki J. Sperling R. Sperling (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 74–84 Occurrence Handle12160703 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XnslGrtrc%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. V. R. Matias A. Al Amoudi J. Dubochet T. J. Beveridge (2003) J. Bacteriol. 185 6112–6118 Occurrence Handle14526023 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXotFOhsr4%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. J. Dubochet N. Sartori Blanc (2001) Micron 32 91–99 Occurrence Handle10900384 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M%2FhvFOlsw%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. A. Al Amoudi J. Dubochet H. Gnaegi W. Luthi D. Studer (2003) J. Microsc. 212 26–33 Occurrence Handle14516359 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3svpslGnsQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. R. M. Glaeser K. A. Taylor (1980) J. Microsc. 112 127–138

    Google Scholar 

  30. P. K. Luther (2001) Eur.Microsc.Analysis 70 7–9

    Google Scholar 

  31. A. J. Koster R. Grimm D. Typke R. Hegerl A. Stoschek J. Walz W. Baumeister (1997) J. Struct. Biol. 120 276–308 Occurrence Handle9441933 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXosleiug%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. C. Messaoudi T. Boudier J. P. Lechaire J. L. Rigaud H. Delacroix F. Gaill S. Marco (2003) Biol.Cell 95 393–398 Occurrence Handle14519556

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. U. Ziese W. J. Geerts T. P. Krift Particlevan der A. J. Verkleij A. J. Koster (2003) J. Microsc. 211 179–185 Occurrence Handle12887712 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3szlsFOiuw%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Q. S. Zheng M. B. Braunfeld J. W. Sedat D. A. Agard (2004) J. Struct. Biol. 147 91–101 Occurrence Handle15193638

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. U. Ziese A. H. Janssen J. L. Murk W. J. Geerts T. Krift Particlevan der A. J. Verkleij A. J. Koster (2002) J. Microsc. 205 187–200 Occurrence Handle11879433 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD387mtlSrtQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. P. Penczek M. Radermacher J. Frank (1992) Ultramicroscopy 40 33–53 Occurrence Handle1580010 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By2B2MvivVA%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. S. Marco M. Chagoyen L. G. Fraga J. M. Carazo J. L. Carrascosa (1996) Ultramicroscopy 66 5–10 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXitFGhu70%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. J. J. Fernandez A. F. Lawrence J. Roca I. Garcia M. H. Ellisman J. M. Carazo (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 6–20 Occurrence Handle12160697 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XnslGrtrk%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. R. Grimm M. Barmann W. Hackl D. Typke E. Sackmann W. Baumeister (1997) Biophys. J. 72 482–489 Occurrence Handle8994635 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXmtlGqsw%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. G. Harauz M. Heel Particlevan (1986) Optik 73 146–156

    Google Scholar 

  41. W. O. Saxton W. Baumeister (1982) J. Microsc. 127 127–138 Occurrence Handle7120365 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiyD3M%2FitF0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. M. Heel ParticleVan (1987) Ultramicroscopy 21 95–100

    Google Scholar 

  43. M. Kessel M. Radermacher J. Frank (1985) J. Microsc. 139 63–74 Occurrence Handle4046014 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimD3M7ltlI%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. M. Unser B. L. Trus J. Frank A. C. Steven (1989) Ultramicroscopy 30 429–433 Occurrence Handle2800044 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BD38%2FmslE%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. P. A. Penczek (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 34–46 Occurrence Handle12160699

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Unser, M., Sorzano, C. O., Thevenaz, P., Joni, S., El-Bez, C., de Carlo, S., Conway, J., and Trus, B. L. (2004) J. Struct. Biol., in press.

  47. L. G. Ofverstedt K. Zhang L. A. Isaksson G. Bricogne U. Skoglund (1997) J. Struct. Biol. 120 329–342 Occurrence Handle9441936 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7htVaqsA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. R. Marabini J. M. Carazo (1994) Biophys. J. 66 1804–1814 Occurrence Handle7915552 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXlt12gsrw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. A. Pascual Montano L. E. Donate M. Valle M. Barcena R. D. Pascual Marqui J. M. Carazo (2001) J. Struct. Biol. 133 233–245 Occurrence Handle11472094 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlsVSjsL0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. A. Pascual Montano K. A. Taylor H. Winkler R. D. Pascual-Marqui J. M. Carazo (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 114–122 Occurrence Handle12160707 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XnslGrtr4%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. J. A. Velazquez-Muriel C. O. Sorzano J. J. Fernandez J. M. Carazo (2003) Ultramicroscopy 96 17–35 Occurrence Handle12623169 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhs1aqtbs%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. B. Sander M. M. Golas H. Stark (2003) J. Struct. Biol. 142 392–401 Occurrence Handle12781666 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3s3lslemsQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. J. Bohm A. S. Frangakis R. Hegerl S. Nickell D. Typke W. Baumeister (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99 14153–14158 Occurrence Handle12391313

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. A. S. Frangakis F. Forster (2004) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 14 325–331 Occurrence Handle15193312 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXkvV2nsbk%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. W. Wriggers S. Birmanns (2001) J. Struct. Biol. 133 193–202 Occurrence Handle11472090 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlsVSjs78%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. J. Navaza J. Lepault F. A. Rey C. Alvarez-Rua J. Borge (2002) Acta Crystallogr. D. Biol. Crystallogr. 58 1820–1825 Occurrence Handle12351826 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38vptVCjtA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. J. M. Robinson T. Takizawa D. D. Vandre (2000) J. Microsc. 199 163–179 Occurrence Handle10971797 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXnt1Wqsrw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. T. Cheutin M. F. O’Donohue A. Beorchia C. Klein H. Kaplan D. Ploton (2003) J. Histochem. Cytochem. 51 1411–1423 Occurrence Handle14566014 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXpsVCitrk%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. G. Mobus R. C. Doole B. J. Inkson (2003) Ultramicroscopy 96 433–451 Occurrence Handle12871806 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlsVWqs70%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. P. A. Midgley M. Weyland (2003) Ultramicroscopy 96 413–431 Occurrence Handle12871805 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlsVWqs7w%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. M. Weyland P. A. Midgley (2003) Microsc. Microanal. 9 542–555 Occurrence Handle14750989 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXitlWjsA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. E. T. O’Toole M. Winey J. R. McIntosh D. N. Mastronarde (2002) Meth. Enzymol. 351 81–95 Occurrence Handle12073377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. A. S. Frangakis R. Hegerl (2002) J. Struct. Biol. 138 105–113 Occurrence Handle12160706

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. A. Stoschek R. Hegerl (1997) J. Struct. Biol. 120 257–265 Occurrence Handle9441931 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7ktlaguw%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. A. S. Frangakis R. Hegerl (2001) J. Struct. Biol. 135 239–250 Occurrence Handle11722164 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXosFGgu74%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. J. J. Fernandez S. Li (2003) J. Struct. Biol. 144 152–161 Occurrence Handle14643218

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Curie, Section Recherche, UMR-CNRS 168 et LRC-CEA 34V 11, rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005, Paris, France

    S. Marco, T. Boudier, C. Messaoudi & J.-L. Rigaud

Authors
  1. S. Marco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Boudier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Messaoudi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J.-L. Rigaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Marco.

Additional information

Translated from Biokhimiya, Vol. 69, No. 11, 2004, pp. 1497–1505.

Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Marco, Boudier, Messaoudi, Rigaud.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marco, S., Boudier, T., Messaoudi, C. et al. Electron tomography of biological samples. Biochemistry (Moscow) 69, 1219–1225 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10541-005-0067-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10541-005-0067-6

Key words

Search

Navigation