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Actin microfilaments in melanophores of Fundulus heteroclitus

Their possible involvement in melanosome migration

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Summary

In melanophores of Fundulus heteroclitus, hormone-stimulated melanosome aggregation is accompanied by cytoplasmic flow from the cellular processes to the perikaryon, and reversal of these events takes place upon hormone-induced melanosome dispersion. These cells contain parallel arrays of microtubules, the majority of which are located in the perikaryon and in cortical regions of the processes. Studies with heavy meromyosin binding demonstrated two types of actin filaments: 1) a decorated meshwork of filaments similar to those usually found in close association with plasma membranes, and 2) filaments decorated in a manner similar to that of stress fibers. There is an apparent increase in the amount of filaments during melanosome aggregation. These results are discussed in relation to intracellular movement.

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Author notes

  1. Masataka Obika

    Present address: Department of Biology, Keio University, 223, Yokohama, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Masataka Obika, David G. Menter, T. T. Tchen &  John D. Taylor

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  1. Masataka Obika
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Supported, in part, by grants AM-5384 and AM-13724 from U.S.P.H.S., and grant 234046 from the Japanese Ministry of Education

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Obika, M., Menter, D.G., Tchen, T.T. et al. Actin microfilaments in melanophores of Fundulus heteroclitus . Cell Tissue Res. 193, 387–397 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225337

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