Single-molecule imaging by atomic force microscopy of the native chaperonin complex of the thermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus

The chaperonin of the extremely thermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataric us has been imaged for the first time under native conditions using the ato mic force microscope. This technique allows to visualize the structure of b iomolecules in solution under physiological conditions providing a nanomete r resolution topographic image of the sample. Single molecule studies can r eveal fine structural details, providing a powerful insight into the active conformation of a macromolecule, and also allowing to detect different con formational states corresponding to functional changes. (C) 2001 Academic P ress.