Table 1 Dimensions of non-infectious recombinant PrP fibrils and infectious RML prion rods by EM and AFM.

From: Structural features distinguishing infectious ex vivo mammalian prions from non-infectious fibrillar assemblies generated in vitro

Sample

Method

Width

mean ± SD

(nm)

Length

mean ± SD

(nm)

Height

mean ± SD

(nm)

Recombinant PrP fibrils

Negative stain EM

(n = 18 fibrils)

10.4 ± 1.2

>700

—

Cryo-EM

(n = 18 fibrils)

9.3 ± 0.8

>700

—

AFM

(n = 6 fibrils)

11.3 ± 2.2

>700

4.0 ± 0.8

Ex vivo RML prion rods

Negative stain EM

(n = 18 rods)

20.2 ± 1.9*

127.5 ± 41.3

 

Cryo EM

(n = 18 rods)

19.4 ± 2.3§

118.3 ± 23.8

 

AFM

(n = 8 rods)

26.5 ± 0.3#

111.5 ± 17.4

9.2 ± 0.5$

  1. *Central gap width 9.1 ± 1.4 nm.
  2. §Central gap width 8–10 nm.
  3. #Central gap width 8.0 ± 0.9 nm.
  4. $Central gap height of 7.4 ± 0.8 nm.
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