SPECIFIC VISUALIZATION OF RIBOSOMAL-RNA IN THE INTACT RIBOSOME BY ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31 (2), 334-340
Abstract
The recently developed EM technique of electron spectroscopic imaging was used to map the distribution of P and of RNA in situ in the ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli. RNA moiety of both subunits is concentrated toward the center of the particle somewhat more than is the total mass, but reaches the outer surface at several places. The micrographs also reveal certain distinctive features in the shape of the RNA component that may be related to the overall shape of the ribosome. The method yielded a reasonably accurate estimate of the P content of the 30S ribosome.