An atomic model of brome mosaic virus using direct electron detection and real-space optimization.
Wang, Z., Hryc, C.F., Bammes, B., Afonine, P.V., Jakana, J., Chen, D.H., Liu, X., Baker, M.L., Kao, C., Ludtke, S.J., Schmid, M.F., Adams, P.D., Chiu, W.(2014) Nat Commun 5: 4808-4808
- PubMed: 25185801 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms5808
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3J7L, 3J7M, 3J7N - PubMed Abstract: 
Advances in electron cryo-microscopy have enabled structure determination of macromolecules at near-atomic resolution. However, structure determination, even using de novo methods, remains susceptible to model bias and overfitting. Here we describe a complete workflow for data acquisition, image processing, all-atom modelling and validation of brome mosaic virus, an RNA virus. Data were collected with a direct electron detector in integrating mode and an exposure beyond the traditional radiation damage limit. The final density map has a resolution of 3.8 Å as assessed by two independent data sets and maps. We used the map to derive an all-atom model with a newly implemented real-space optimization protocol. The validity of the model was verified by its match with the density map and a previous model from X-ray crystallography, as well as the internal consistency of models from independent maps. This study demonstrates a practical approach to obtain a rigorously validated atomic resolution electron cryo-microscopy structure.
Organizational Affiliation: 
1] National Center for Macromolecular Imaging, Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA [2].