Assembly of two-dimensional membrane crystals of Na,K-ATPase

Abstract

The assembly of vanadate-induced two-dimensional membrane crystals of Na,K-ATPase was analyzed by electron microscopy and image processing. Electron micrographs of negatively stained linear arrays of protein molecules were recorded and processed by correlation averaging methods. The arrays were compared with fully developed p21 crystals of the enzyme. On the basis of similarity in protein form, symmetry, and packing arrangement it was concluded that the fully developed crystals are built of tightly packed ribbons. Assembly pathways for two-dimensional membrane crystals of Na,K-ATPase are proposed.