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. 1977 Jan 1;72(1):161–173. doi: 10.1083/jcb.72.1.161

Resolution in electron microscope autoradiography. III. Iodine-125, the effect of heavy metal staining, and a reassessment of critical parameters

PMCID: PMC2110981  PMID: 63463

Abstract

Resolution for 125I-labeled specimens under electron microscope (EM) autoradiographic conditions was assessed experimentally. With this isotope the size of the silver halide crystal was the most important resolution-limiting factor. Heavy metal staining such as is routinely used in preparing animal tissues for EM autoradiography produced an improvement in resolution of approximately 15-20%. For a 500-1,000-A biological tissue section fixed with OsO4 and stained with uranyl acetate, we obtained resolution (half distance, HD) values of approximately 800 +/- 120 A using Ilford L4 emulsion and 500 +/- 70 A using a Kodak NTE-type emulsion. General aspects of resolution-limiting factors and comparison with 3H and 14C values are discussed.

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Selected References

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