Scanning tunneling microscopy of uncoated recA-DNA complexes

Science. 1989 Mar 31;243(4899):1708-11. doi: 10.1126/science.2928803.

Abstract

Uncoated recA-DNA complexes were imaged with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The images, which reveal the right-handed helical structure of the complexes with subunits clearly resolved, are comparable in quality to STM images of metal-coated specimens. Possible conduction mechanisms that allow STM imaging of biological macromolecules are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acetates
  • Acetic Acid
  • Adsorption
  • Aluminum Silicates
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Magnesium
  • Magnesium Chloride
  • Microscopy, Electron*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Conformation
  • Rec A Recombinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Magnesium Chloride
  • DNA
  • Rec A Recombinases
  • Magnesium
  • Acetic Acid
  • mica