Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization
Mammalian gametes—the sperm and the egg—represent opposite extremes of cellular organization and scale. Studying the ultrastructure of gametes is crucial to understanding their interactions, and how to manipulate them in order to either encourage or prevent their union. Here, we survey the prominent...
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2020-09-01
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Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsob.200186 |
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doaj-cd6769bc7236497681f435cff683d9e22020-11-25T03:38:19ZengThe Royal SocietyOpen Biology2046-24412020-09-0110910.1098/rsob.200186200186Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilizationRavi Teja RaviMiguel Ricardo LeungTzviya Zeev-Ben-MordehaiMammalian gametes—the sperm and the egg—represent opposite extremes of cellular organization and scale. Studying the ultrastructure of gametes is crucial to understanding their interactions, and how to manipulate them in order to either encourage or prevent their union. Here, we survey the prominent electron microscopy (EM) techniques, with an emphasis on considerations for applying them to study mammalian gametes. We review how conventional EM has provided significant insight into gamete ultrastructure, but also how the harsh sample preparation methods required preclude understanding at a truly molecular level. We present recent advancements in cryo-electron tomography that provide an opportunity to image cells in a near-native state and at unprecedented levels of detail. New and emerging cellular EM techniques are poised to rekindle exploration of fundamental questions in mammalian reproduction, especially phenomena that involve complex membrane remodelling and protein reorganization. These methods will also allow novel lines of enquiry into problems of practical significance, such as investigating unexplained causes of human infertility and improving assisted reproductive technologies for biodiversity conservation.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsob.200186electron microscopycryo-electron tomographycryo-focused ion beam millingspermeggfertilization |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ravi Teja Ravi Miguel Ricardo Leung Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai |
spellingShingle |
Ravi Teja Ravi Miguel Ricardo Leung Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization Open Biology electron microscopy cryo-electron tomography cryo-focused ion beam milling sperm egg fertilization |
author_facet |
Ravi Teja Ravi Miguel Ricardo Leung Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai |
author_sort |
Ravi Teja Ravi |
title |
Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization |
title_short |
Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization |
title_full |
Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization |
title_fullStr |
Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization |
title_full_unstemmed |
Looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization |
title_sort |
looking back and looking forward: contributions of electron microscopy to the structural cell biology of gametes and fertilization |
publisher |
The Royal Society |
series |
Open Biology |
issn |
2046-2441 |
publishDate |
2020-09-01 |
description |
Mammalian gametes—the sperm and the egg—represent opposite extremes of cellular organization and scale. Studying the ultrastructure of gametes is crucial to understanding their interactions, and how to manipulate them in order to either encourage or prevent their union. Here, we survey the prominent electron microscopy (EM) techniques, with an emphasis on considerations for applying them to study mammalian gametes. We review how conventional EM has provided significant insight into gamete ultrastructure, but also how the harsh sample preparation methods required preclude understanding at a truly molecular level. We present recent advancements in cryo-electron tomography that provide an opportunity to image cells in a near-native state and at unprecedented levels of detail. New and emerging cellular EM techniques are poised to rekindle exploration of fundamental questions in mammalian reproduction, especially phenomena that involve complex membrane remodelling and protein reorganization. These methods will also allow novel lines of enquiry into problems of practical significance, such as investigating unexplained causes of human infertility and improving assisted reproductive technologies for biodiversity conservation. |
topic |
electron microscopy cryo-electron tomography cryo-focused ion beam milling sperm egg fertilization |
url |
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsob.200186 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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