Summary
Electron microscope examination of the plasma membrane of chick embryo fibroblasts cultured in vitro revealed the presence of a single osmiophilic layer about 90 Å thick and a substructure composed of ovoid sub-units associated with an amorphous component. These ovoid sub-units measured approximately 112 Å along the major axis and 75 Å along the minor axis and were composed of a central core, approximately 30 Å by 60 Å, surrounded by a peripheral component.
Examination of other membranous components of these cells revealed a similar ovoid subunit structure in a single layered membrane. Differences in thickness and in the sizes of ovoid sub-units were seen in these membranes. The ergastoplasmic membranes, the outer nuclear membranes, the outer mitochondrial and the Golgi membranes were found to be the thinnest.
These varied in thickness from approximately 75 Å to 80 Å. The thickest membranes seen were the inner nuclear membranes. These were approximately 100 Å thick. The dimensions of the ovoid sub-units corresponded with differences in the thickness of the various membranes. These findings support the concept of a particulate substructure of cell membranes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dougherty, R. M.: Use of dimethyl sulphoxide for preservation of tissue culture cells by freezing. Nature (Lond.) 193, 550–552 (1962).
—, P. J. Simons, and F. C. Chesterman: Biological properties of three variants of Rous sarcoma virus. J. nat. Cancer Inst. 31, 1285–1307 (1963).
Eagle, H.: Amino acid metabolism in mammalian cell cultures. Science 130, 432–437 (1959).
Frey-Wyssling, A.: Macromolecules in cell structure. Cambridge (Massachusetts, U.S.A.): Harvard University Press 1957.
Gent, W. L. G., N. A. Gregson, D. B. Gammack, and J. H. Raper: The lipid-protein unit in myelin. Nature (Lond.) 204, 553–555 (1964).
Haguenau, F., H. Febvre et J. Arnoult: Mode de formation intracellulaire du virus du sarcome de Rous. Étude ultrastructurale. J. Microscopie 1, 445–454 (1962).
Ito, S.: The surface coating of enteric microvilli. Anat. Rec. 148, 294 (1964).
Lucy, J. A.: Globular lipid micelles and cell membranes. J. theor. Biol. 7, 360–373 (1964).
Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).
Mercer, E. H., and M. A. Birbeck: Electron microscopy. A handbook for biologists. Oxford (Engl.): Blackwell Sci. Publ. 1961.
Nilsson, S. E. G.: Receptor cell outer segment development and ultrastructure of the disk mem- branes in the retina of the tadpole (Rana pipiens). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 11, 581–620 (1964).
—: The ultrastructure of the receptor outer segments in the retina of the leopard frog (Rana pipiens). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 207–331 (1965).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Robertson, J. D.: The ultrastructure of cell membranes and their derivatives. Biochem. Soc. Symposia (Cambridge, Engl.) 16, 3–43 (1959).
—: The molecular structure and contact relationships of cell membranes. Progr. Biophys. Chem. 10, 343–418 (1960).
Sjöstrand, F. S.: The molecular architecture of the plasma membrane. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 3, 239–240 (1959).
—: Morphology of ordered biological structures. Radiat. Res., Suppl. 2, 349–386 (1960).
—: The ultrastructure of the plasma membrane of columnar epithelial cells of the mouse intestine. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 8, 517–541 (1963a).
—: A new ultrastructural element of the membranes in mitochondria and of some cytoplasmic membranes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 9, 340–361 (1963b).
—: A comparison of plasma membrane, cytomembranes, and mitochondrial membrane elements with respect to ultrastructure features. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 9, 561–580 (1963c).
—, and V. Hanzon: Membrane structures of cytoplasm and mitochondria in exocrine cells of mouse pancreas as revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. Exp. Cell Res. 7, 393–414 (1954).
—, and L. G. Elfvin: The layered asymmetric structure of the plasma membrane in the exocrine pancreas cells of the cat. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 7, 504–534 (1962).
—, and J. Rhodin: The ultrastructure of the proximal convoluted tubules of the mouse kidney as revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. Exp. Cell Res. 4, 426–456 (1953).
Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958a).
—: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy. II. Application of solutions containing lead and barium. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 727–730 (1958b).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was aided by Research Grant PH 5593 from the National Science Foundation. Some of the equipment used was purchased with funds from the National Institutes of Health Grant 2TI GM 326. I wish to thank Dr. Robert M. Dougherty from the Department of Microbiology who grew and supplied me with the chick embryo fibroblast cultures used in these studies, and Mrs. Ursula Feller fer her technical assistance.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Di Stefano, H.S. Substructure of membranes in cultivated chick embryo fibroblasts. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 70, 322–333 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336500
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336500