Likelihood-based classification of cryo-EM images using FREALIGN

J Struct Biol. 2013 Sep;183(3):377-388. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2013.07.005. Epub 2013 Jul 17.

Abstract

We describe an implementation of maximum likelihood classification for single particle electron cryo-microscopy that is based on the FREALIGN software. Particle alignment parameters are determined by maximizing a joint likelihood that can include hierarchical priors, while classification is performed by expectation maximization of a marginal likelihood. We test the FREALIGN implementation using a simulated dataset containing computer-generated projection images of three different 70S ribosome structures, as well as a publicly available dataset of 70S ribosomes. The results show that the mixed strategy of the new FREALIGN algorithm yields performance on par with other maximum likelihood implementations, while remaining computationally efficient.

Keywords: Classification; Electron microscopy; Maximum likelihood; Protein structure; Single particle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy / methods
  • Escherichia coli
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Models, Molecular
  • Ribosome Subunits, Large, Bacterial / ultrastructure
  • Ribosome Subunits, Small, Bacterial / ultrastructure
  • Software*