Summary
The palatal epithelium of adult male guinea pigs contains a considerable number of binucleate epithelial cells in all strata but the basal cell layer. Electron microscopical examination shows that the two equal-sized nuclei are dome-shaped with the flattened surfaces closely approximated, the distance between the nuclei being 30 nm or more. No points of contact have been found between the nuclear membranes. No differences in number, distribution or ultrastructure of cytoplasmic organelles were found between mono- and binucleate epithelial cells. Evidence of amitotic nuclear division being a plausible mechanism of binucleation is presented.
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Philipsen, H.P., Fejerskov, O. & Theilade, J. The ultrastructure of binucleate keratinocytes and binucleation in palatal mucosa of guinea pigs. Cell Tissue Res. 150, 113–123 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220385
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220385