Summary
The tubules in the aglomerular kidney of Nerophis ophidion are composed of cells showing different types of specializations of their plasma membrane. All cells possess a luminal brush border composed of microvilli, and show presence of vesicles with 100 Å thick “unit” membranes — some containing electron dense material —, tubular elements, multivesicular bodies, and plasma membrane invaginations in their apical cytoplasm. These features suggest an absorptive function of the cells. The apical portions of the cells are supplied with typical cilia.
Some cells have abundant basilar plasma membrane invaginations usually lacking cytoplasmic organelles. Other cells appear to form interdigitating basilar cytoplasmic processes containing mitochondria; still other cells have smooth basilar cell membranes. These findings are discussed with reference to the known secretory function of the tubules and are compared with tubular fine structure in other species. It was concluded that urine formation by tubular secretion may occur in cells with different types of basilar cell membrane specializations.
The occurrence of “coated” vesicles associated with invaginated basilar plasma membranes indicates transport of proteins (from peritubular blood vessels ?) at these sites.
The tubule cells have abundant smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and large and numerous active Golgi zones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Audigé, J.: Contribution à l'étude des reins des poissons télóstéens. Arch. Zool. exp. et gén. 4, 275–624 (1910).
Barka, T.: Cellular localization of acid phosphatase activity. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 10, 231–232 (1962).
Bulger, R. E.: The fine structure of the aglomerular nephron of the toadfish, Opsanus tau. Amer. J. Anat. 117, 171–192 (1965).
Edwards, J. C.: Studies on aglomerular and glomerular kidneys. I. Anatomical. Amer. J. Anat. 42, 75–107 (1928).
Ericsson, J. L. E.: Absorption and decomposition of homologous hemoglobin in renal proximal tubular cells. An experimental light and electron microscopic study. Acta path. microbiol. scand., Suppl. 168, 1–121 (1964).
—: On the fine structural demonstration of glucose 6-phosphatase. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 14, 361–362 (1966).
—: Electron microscopy of the normal tubule. In: Proc. 3rd int. Congr. Nephrol., Washington 1966 (ed. G. E. Schreiner), vol. 2, p. 1–16. Basel and New York: S. Karger 1967.
—, and B. F. Trump: Electron microscopic studies of the epithelium of the proximal tubule of the rat kidney. III. Lab. Invest. 15, 1610–1633 (1966).
Farquhar, M. G., S. L. Wissig, and G. E. Palade: Glomerular permeability. I. Ferritin transfer across the normal glomerular capillary wall. J. exp. Med. 113, 47–66 (1961).
Forster, R. P.: A comparative study of renal function in marine teleosts. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 42, 487–509 (1953).
—, and F. Berglund: Renal function in aglomerular teleosts, Lophius. J. gen. Physiol. 39, 349–359 (1956).
—, and B. R. Rennick: Tubular secretion of creatine, trimethylamine oxide and other organic bases by the aglomerular kidney of Lophius americanus. J. gen. Physiol. 42, 319–327 (1958/59).
Gomori, G.: The distribution of phosphatase in normal organs and tissues. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 17, 71–83 (1941).
Huot, A.: Recherches sur les poissons Lophobranches. Ann. Sci. natur. Zool. T. 14, 197–288 (1902).
Ito, S.: The endoplasmic reticulum of gastric parietal cells. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 11, 333–347 (1961).
Kessel, R. G., and H. W. Beams: Electron microscope studies on the gill filaments of Fundulus heteroclitus from sea water and fresh water with special references to the ultrastructural organization of the “chloride cell”. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 6, 77–87 (1962).
Locke, M., and J. V. Collins: Protein uptake in multivesicular bodies in the molt-intermolt cycle of an insect. Science 165, 467–469 (1967).
Longley, J. B.: Alkaline phosphatase in the kidneys of aglomerular fish. Science 122, 594 (1955).
—, and E. R. Fischer: Alkaline phosphatase and the periodic acid-Schiff reaction in the proximal tubule of the vertebrate kidney. Anat. Rec. 120, 1–17 (1954).
Marshall jr., E. K., and A. L. Grafflin: The structure and function of the kidneys of Lophius piscatorius. Bull. Johns Hopk. Hosp. 43, 205–236 (1928).
MÖlbert, E., F. Duspiva, u. O. Deimling: Die histochemische Lokalisation der Phosphatase in der Tubulus-Epithelzelle der Mäuseniere im elektronenmikroskopischen Bild. Histochemie 2, 5–22 (1960).
Nicander, L.: An electron microscopical study of absorbing cells in the posterior caput epididymidis of rabbits. Z. Zellforsch. 66, 829–842 (1965).
Olsen, S.: Ultrastructure of the kidney of some salt water teleosts. Anatomiske Skrifter III vol. 2, p. 1–19. Aarhus: Universitetsforlaget 1965.
—: Ultrastructure of the base of renal tubule cells of marine teleosts. Nature (Lond.) 212, 95–96 (1966).
Pease, D. C.: Infolded basal plasma membranes found in epithelia noted for their water transport. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 2, Suppl. 203–208 (1956).
Philpott, C. W.: The adaptive morphology of the chloride secreting cells of Fundulus as revealed by the electron microscope. Abstract, 1st annual meeting of the Amer. Soc. Cell Biology, Chicago 1961, p. 167.
—: The comparative morphology of the chloride secreting cells of three species of Fundulus as revealed by the electron microscope. Anat. Rec. 142, 267 (1962).
—, and D. E. Copeland: Tine structure of chloride cells from three species of Fundulus. J. Cell Biol. 18, 389–404 (1963).
Porter, K. R., and E. Yamada: Studies on the endoplasmic reticulum V. Its form and differentiation in pigment epithelial cells of the frog retina. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 8, 181–205 (1960).
Rhodin, J.: Studies on the nephron ultrastructure in mouse, goosefish and dogfish. Paper read at the meeting of the Renal Ass., October 1956. London: Ciba Foundation, 1956.
—: Electron microscopy of the kidney. In: Renal diseases, ed. by D. A. K. Black, p. 117–156. Oxford: Blackwell Sci. Publ. 1962.
Roth, R. F., and K. R. Porter: Yolk protein uptake in the oocyte of the mosquito Aedes aegypti L. J. Cell Biol. 20, 313–332 (1964).
Soodsma, J. F., B. Legler, and R. C. Nordlie: The inhibition by phlorizin of kidney microsomal inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose, phosphotransferase and glucose 6-phosphatase. J. biol. Chem. 242, 1955–1960 (1967).
Verne, J.: Contribution à l'étude des reins aglomérulaires. Arch. Anat. micr. 18, 357–407 (1922).
Wachstein, M.: Histochemical staining reactions of the normally functioning and abnormal kidney. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 3, 246–270 (1955).
Wilmer, H. A.: Renal phosphatase. Arch. Path. 37, 227–237 (1944).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by grants from “Fonden til Videnskabens Fremme” and “Therese och Johan Anderssons Minne”. Part of this study was done at the Zoologica Stazione, Naples.
The assistance of Miss Britt-Marie Petterson and Mr. Magnus Norman is gratefully acknowledged.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Olsen, S., Ericsson, J.L.E. Ultrastructure of the tubule of the aglomerular teleost Nerophis ophidion . Z. Zellforsch. 87, 17–30 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326558
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00326558