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The ultrastructure and ultracytochemistry of the basement membrane of the Galleria mellonella fat body

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Summary

The fat body lobes of Galleria mellonella are surrounded by basement membrane — a fine granular layer of connective tissue. This membrane has an affinity for ruthenium red. The results obtained after treatment of the fat body with neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, phospholipase C and proteolytic enzymes suggest that glycoproteins and phospholipoproteins are constituents of this basement membrane. The basement membrane also has the ability to bind concanavalin A-peroxidase, which is associated with the presence of mannoside residues.

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  1. Electron Microscope Laboratory, M. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland

    Andrzej B. Dutkowski

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I am greatly indebted to Professor A. Przełcecka for her encouragement to undertake this study. The excellent technical assistance of Mrs. K. Mrozińska, Mrs. Z. Kamińska and the engineering staff of the Laboratory is gratefully acknowledged

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Dutkowski, A.B. The ultrastructure and ultracytochemistry of the basement membrane of the Galleria mellonella fat body. Cell Tissue Res. 176, 417–429 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00221798

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