Regular ArticleElectron Microscopy of Thermus thermophilus 70S Ribosome Microcrystals: 1. Surface Relief Reconstruction

Flat tetragonal microcrystals of 70S ribosomes from Thermus thermophilus have been studied by electron microscopy of freeze-dried and heavy metal-shadowed specimens and the crystal surface relief has been determined. Analysis of a set of micrographs shows that the ribosomes on the crystal surface are arranged into a square P4 lattice which appears in two enantiomorphic forms.