Preyssler-type phosphotungstate is a new family of negative-staining reagents for the TEM observation of viruses.

ABSTRACT: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an essential method in virology because it allows for direct visualization of virus morphology at a nanometer scale. Negative staining to coat virions with heavy metal ions must be performed before TEM observations to achieve sufficient contrast. Herein, we report that potassium salts of Preyssler-type phosphotungstates (K_(15-n)[P₅W₃₀O₁₁₀Mⁿ⁺], M = Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Ce³⁺, Eu³⁺, Bi³⁺, or Y³⁺) are high-performance negative staining reagents. Additionally, we compare the staining abilities of these salts to those of uranyl acetate and Keggin-type phosphotungstate. The potassium salt of Preyssler-type phosphotungstates has the advantage of n

SUBMITTER: Sahiro K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9098496 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature