title: Structure and macromolecular composition of the myotendineal junction. Histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study of the rat calf muscles.
abstract: The macromolecular composition and ultrastructure of the myotendineal junction (MTJ) of slow-twitch (type 1) and fast-twitch (type 2) muscle fibers were studied in the gastrocnemius-soleus-Achilles unit of the rat. Both proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, type III collagen, fibronectin and laminin could be detected at the MTJ. Due to membrane folding, finger-like processes were seen at the myotendineal junction. The processes of the type 1 fibers are greater in size, however, due to subdivisions, the processes of type 2 muscle fibers had a greater surface than type 1 fibers. The macromolecular composition is similar in both type 1 and type 2 muscle fibers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, National Institute of Traumatology, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Józsa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kvist
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kannus
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vieno
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Järvinen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lehto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen