Evidence for firm linkages between microtubules and membrane-bounded vesicles.
Direct evidence is presented in support of the widely held idea that membrane-bounded vesicles can bind firmly to microtubules. This is shown in P. caudatum which contains ribbons of straight microtubules located in open cytoplasm and uniquely associated with the disk-shaped vesicles. These vesicles frequently lie flat against the face of the ribbons at a constant distance of 30-40 nm. Under certain conditions the ribbons are compressed into zigzag pattern, but the vesicles continue to maintain their 30-40 nm spacing with the tubules and The author's interpretation of this phenomena is that the vesicles and the microtubules are strongly bound together. This interaction appears to be via a filamentous material rather than bridges.
D000818:Animals; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010247:Paramecium / Q000648:ultrastructure*