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.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
$32.99 / 30 days
cancel any time
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References
Patwardhan, A., Henderson, R. & Russo, C. J. Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 92, 103005 (2025).
Yi, G. et al. Nat. Chem. Biol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-01972-7 (2025).
Mukherjee, S. et al. Nat. Commun. 11, 1598 (2020).
Guo, Q. et al. Nat. Chem. Biol. 20, 74–82 (2024).
Yao, Q., Weaver, S. J., Mock, J.-Y. & Jensen, G. J. Structure 27, 1148–1155.e3 (2019).
Castells-Graells, R. et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 120, e2305494120 (2023).
Bloch, J. S. et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 118, e2115435118 (2021).
Wu, X. & Rapoport, T. A. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 118, e2115001118 (2021).
Botte, M. et al. Nat. Commun. 13, 1826 (2022).
Uchański, T. et al. Nat. Methods 18, 60–68 (2021).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
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
Published:
Version of record:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-01959-4