Cell and Tissue Research

, Volume 180, Issue 3, pp 293–302 | Cite as

Ultrastructure of the myocardial cell and its membrane systems in the adult fly Calliphora erythrocephala (Insecta: Diptera)

  • Helge Jensen
Article
Accepted:

Summary

Calliphora erythrocephala has cross-striated cardiac muscle cells with A, I and Z-bands. The diameters of the myosin and actin filaments are 200–250 Å and 85 Å respectively and the length of the myosin filaments (A-band) is approximately 1.5 μ. Usually 8–10 actin filaments surround each myosin filament.

The myocardial cells show a well-developed membrane system and interior couplings. A perforated sheet of SR envelopes the myofibrils at the A-band, dilates into flattened cisternae at both A-I band levels before it merges into a three-dimensional net-work between the actin filaments of the I-bands and between the dense bodies of the discontinuous Z-discs. The T-system consists of broad flattened tubules running between the myofibrils at the A-I band levels forming dyads with the SR-cisternae. Longitudinal connections between the transverse (T-) tubules often occur.

It is suggested that this well-developed SR may be an adaptation to facilitate a rapid contraction/relaxation frequency by an effective Ca2+ uptake.

Key words

Cardiovascular system Insecta (Calliphora erythrocephala) Myofibrils Sarcoplasmic reticulum 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Auber, J.: Particularités ultrastructurales des myofibrilles des muscles du vol chez des Lépidopteres. C.R. Acad. Sci. (D) (Paris) 264, 621–624 (1967a)Google Scholar
  2. Auber, J.: Remarques sur la structure des fibrilles des muscles du vol d'Insectes au niveau de la strie M.C.R. Acad. Sci. (D) (Paris) 264, 2916–2918 (1967b)Google Scholar
  3. Baccetti, B., Bigliardi, E.: Studies on the fine structure of the dorsal vessel of arthropods. I. The “heart” of an Orthopteran. Z. Zellforsch. 99, 13–24 (1969)Google Scholar
  4. Burch, G.E., Sohal, R.S., Fairbanks, L.D.: Senescent changes in the heart of Drosophila repleta Wollaston. Nature (Lond.) 225, 286–288 (1970)Google Scholar
  5. Da Cruz-Landim, C.: Aspectos ultraestruturais do músculo cardiaco de Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apinae). Rev. Bras. Biol. 34, 105–113 (1974)Google Scholar
  6. Edwards, G.A., Challice, C.E.: The ultrastructure of the heart of the cockroach, Blatella germanica. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 53, 369–383 (1960)Google Scholar
  7. Hoffmann, J.A., Lévi, C.: Étude au microscope électronique du vaisseau dorsal de Locusta migratoria. C.R. Acad. Sci. (D) (Paris) 260, 6988–6990 (1965)Google Scholar
  8. Jensen, H.: Ultrastructure of the aortic diverticula of the adult dragonfly Sympetrum danae (Odonata: Anisoptera). Cell Tiss. Res. 168, 177–199 (1976)Google Scholar
  9. Legato, M.J., Langer, G.A.: The subcellular localization of calcium ion in mammalian myocardium. J. Cell Biol. 41, 401–423 (1969)Google Scholar
  10. McCallister, L.P., Hadek, R.: The localization of calcium in skeletal muscle: Its distribution in muscles in which the caffeine-induced contracture was arrested. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 45, 59–81 (1973)Google Scholar
  11. McCann, F.V., Sanger, J.W.: Ultrastructure and function in an insect heart. Experientia (Basel), Suppl. 15, Comparative physiology of the heart: Current trends, 29–46 (1968)Google Scholar
  12. Mercer, E.M., Birbeck, M.S.C.: Electron microscopy, A handbook for biologists, 3rd ed., 103 p. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1972Google Scholar
  13. Miller, T.: Initiation of activity in the cockroach heart. Experientia (Basel), Suppl. 15, Comparative physiology of the heart: Current trends, 29–46 (1968)Google Scholar
  14. Myklebust, R.: The ultrastructure of the myocardial cell in the dragonfly Aeschna juncea (L). Norw. J. Zool. 23, 17–36 (1975)Google Scholar
  15. Reger, J.F.: The organization of sarcoplasmic reticulum in direct flight muscle of the lepidopteran Achalarus lyciades. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 18, 595–599 (1967)Google Scholar
  16. Reger, J.F., Cooper, D.P.: A comparative study on the fine structure of the basalar muscle of the wing and the tibial extensor muscle of the leg of the lepidopteran Achalarus lyciades. J. Cell Biol. 33, 531–542 (1967)Google Scholar
  17. Saetersdal, T.S., Myklebust, R., Justesen, N.-P.B., Olsen, W.C.: Ultrastructural localization of calcium in the pigeon papillary muscle as demonstrated by cytochemical studies and X-ray microanalysis. Cell Tiss. Res. 155, 57–74 (1974)Google Scholar
  18. Sanger, J.W., McCann, F.V.: Ultrastructure of the myocardium of the moth, Hyalophora cecropia. J. Insect Physiol. 14, 1105–1111 (1968)Google Scholar
  19. Sohal, R.S.: Mitochondrial changes in the heart of Drosophila repleta, Wollaston with age. Exp. Geront. 5, 213–216 (1970)Google Scholar
  20. Sommer, J.R., Johnson, E.A.: Cardiac muscle. A comparative ultrastructural study with special reference to frog and chicken hearts. Z. Zellforsch. 98, 437–468 (1969)Google Scholar
  21. Winegrad, S.: Autoradiographic studies of intracellular calcium in frog skeletal muscle. J. gen. Physiol. 48, 455–479 (1965)Google Scholar
  22. Winegrad, S.: Intracellular calcium movements of frog skeletal muscle during recovery from tetanus. J. gen. Physiol. 51, 65–83 (1968)Google Scholar
  23. Yeh, B.K.: Localization of calcium antimonate in the atrial and ventricular muscle fibers of the cat heart. J. Mol. Cell. Card. 5, 351–358 (1973)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1977

Authors and Affiliations

  • Helge Jensen
    • 1
  1. 1.Cellular Cardiology Research GroupInstitute of Anatomy, University of BergenNorway

Personalised recommendations