Cryo-Electron Microscopy in the Study of Protein–Protein Interactions
摘要
Protein–protein interactions (PPIs)Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) are fundamental to many biological processes, including signal transduction, gene regulation, maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and immune response. Understanding the molecular details of PPIs is vital for elucidating the mechanisms underlying cellular functions and diseases. Traditionally, techniques such as X-ray crystallographyX-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)Nuclear magnetic resonance have provided valuable structural information about PPIs. However, the investigation of protein complexes that are large, dynamic, flexible, or those associated with membranes has proven difficult to characterize structurally. Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM)Cryo-electron microscopy and Cryo-Electron Tomography (Cryo-ET) have revolutionized the ability to visualize protein–protein interactions increasingly at higher resolutionResolution and within cellular context. Despite its strengths, imaging with Electron Microscopy (EM) poses challenges in achieving high-resolution structures for small or heterogeneous complexes and requires substantial computational resources for data processing. Nonetheless, its ability to reveal atomic-level details of protein interactions makes it a crucial tool in structural biology and drug discovery. This chapter reviews recent advances in cryo-EMCryo-electron microscopy techniques, particularly in the study of PPIsProtein-Protein Interactions (PPIs).