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Structural biology

Hidden gems bring proteins into view

Small proteins are challenging targets for structure determination by cryo-electron microscopy. A new mass-enhancement strategy relies on rigid dimerization of a nanobody into a ‘di-gembody’ that increases protein mass by expanding the symmetry of small protein targets.

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Fig. 1: Cryo-EM mass-enhancement toolkit.

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Correspondence to Meredith A. Skiba.

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Gilman, M.S.A., Skiba, M.A. Hidden gems bring proteins into view. Nat Chem Biol 22, 9–10 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-01959-4

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