Summary
A double plasma membrane (DPM) surrounding intestinal microvilli of the migratory milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, is described. Mutant and wild types of the phytophagous insect have been studied by conventional SEM and TEM procedures with the use of membrane-enhancing staining methods. Longitudinal and transverse sections revealed a DPM surrounding microvilli and continuing over the apical portions of the intestinal cell. The outer membrane of the DPM contributes to an intestinal lining or peritrophic membrane (PTM), which apparently accumulates in layers. SEM studies reveal a rugose intestinal surface and complete PTM in both starved and fed insects. Only rarely are exposed microvilli seen by SEM. SEM examinations also enable the observation of numerous blebs on the luminal side of the PTM apparently held in position by a neck-like attachment and apparently derived from the outer membrane of the DPM. Preliminary TEM studies of microvilli revealed unique microvesicle-like structures, lying just inside the inner membrane of the DPM, which may be of membrane origin based on their typical trilaminar appearance after en bloc staining with uranyl acetate. Highly ordered microfilaments were observed to occupy the most central aspect of the microvilli.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burgos MH, Guitierrez LS (1976) The intestine of Triatoma infestans I. Cytology of the midgut. J Ultrastruct Res 57:1–9
Feir D (1974) Oncopeltus fasciatus: a research animal. In: Smith RF, Mittler TE, Smith CN (eds) Annual review of entomology. Annual Reviews, California, pp 81–96
Guitierrez LS, Burgos MH (1978) The intestine of Triatoma infestans II. The surface coat of the midgut. J Ultrastruct Res 63:244–251
Lane NJ, Harrison JB (1979) An unusual cell surface modification: a double plasma membrane. J Cell Sci 39:355–372
Marshall AT, Cheung WWK (1970) Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of an extensive plexiform surface coat on the midgut cells of a fulgorid insect. J Ultrastruct Res 33:161–172
Reger JF (1971) Fine structure of the surface coat of midgut epithelial cells in the homopteran Phylloscelis atra (Fulgorid). J Submicrosc Cytol 3:353–358
Richards AG, Richards PA (1977) The peritrophic membranes of insects. In: Mittler TE, Smith CN, Resh UH (eds) Annual review of entomology. Annual Reviews, California, pp 212–240
Smith DS (1968) Insect cells: their structure and function. Oliver and Boyd Ltd, Edinburgh, pp 223–231
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baerwald, R.J., Delcarpio, J.B. Double membrane-bounded intestinal microvilli in Oncopeltus fasciatus . Cell Tissue Res. 232, 593–600 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216431
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216431