Insect UV-, and green-photoreceptor membranes studied by the freeze-fracture technique.
The membranes of the microvilli of UV- and green-photoreceptors of the ant Myrmecia gulosa have been studied with the freeze-fracture technique. Both inner fracture faces, the cytoplasmic P-face and the extracellular E-face, are covered by globular particles. The P-face particles appear to be randomly distributed, occasionally forming clusters. Their density is about 7,000/mum2, and their mean diameter is 8.5 nm. The E-face particles, however, are arranged in an ordered square pattern with a center-to-center spacing of 9 nm. The density and distribution of P- and E-face particles are the same in both the UV- and the green-photoreceptor membranes. No differences were found in the ultrastructural organization of photoreceptor membranes after dark or light adaptation. It is suggested that the P-face particles represent rhodopsin molecules.
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003118:Color Perception; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000032:analysis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D004533:Egtazic Acid; D012243:Rhodopsin