Premium
Reorganization of the apical cytoskeleton of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy in the rat: a study with myosin subfragment 1
Author(s) -
Luxford Karen A,
Murphy Christopher R
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1016/0248-4900(92)90025-v
Subject(s) - biology , microfilament , myosin , actin , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoskeleton , cytoplasm , actina , organelle , uterus , bleb (medicine) , myosin light chain kinase , anatomy , cell , biochemistry , endocrinology , trabeculectomy , neuroscience , glaucoma
Summary— Actin filaments were identified in the epithelial cells of rat uterus following detergent extraction and decoration of microfilaments (MF) with myosin subfragment 1 (SI). MF connections with cytoplasmic organelles and the apical plasma membrane are also described. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the regular microvilli of non‐pregnant, oestrous animals contain several decorated MF with rootlets descending into a densely filamentous terminal web. Following mating, the actin cytoskeleton was examined on days 1, 3 and 6 of pregnancy. In this period, the irregular projections that replace MV assumed an underlying, dense network of decorated MF, whilst smoother surfaces displayed few cytoplasmic filaments. At the time of blastocyst implantation, a structured terminal web was no longer present. Structural details were revealed concerning the contents of large, bleb‐like projections found on the apical surface.