Functional aspects of carbohydrate complex of the statoconial membrane of the guinea pig utricular macula.
A functional aspect of the carbohydrate complex of the statoconial membrane of the guinea pig utricular macula was observed by the use of the lectins as well as the ruthenium red staining techniques. The ruthenium red staining technique visualized the whole structure of the statoconial membrane as well as the contact zone between the sensory epithelium and the statoconial membrane. The statoconial membrane is composed of the otoconial layer, gelatinous layer, and subcupular meshwork. The otoconial layer was interconnected with sensory epithelium by the gelatinous layer and subcupular meshwork which formed honeycomb structure and housed the sensory hair bundle. This may allow the free movement of the sensory hair bundle. The gelatinous layer and the subcupular meshwork contain N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and galactose which form acidic mucopolysaccharide and glycoprotein. It has been indicated that these carbohydrate complex may play an important role for the mechanical coupling not only between the statoconial membrane and the sensory epithelium but also between the sensory hair bundle and the statoconial membrane.
Takumida
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Harada
Y
Y
Bagger-Sjöbäck
D
D
Wersäll
J
J
D008267:Acoustic Maculae / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005452:Fluoresceins; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D037102:Lectins; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012430:Ruthenium Red; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013861:Thiocyanates
D005452:Fluoresceins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D037102:Lectins; D013861:Thiocyanates; D012430:Ruthenium Red; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate