Three-dimensional observation of intracellular membranous structures in dog heart muscle cells by scanning electron microscopy.
The three-dimensional architecture of intracellular membranous structures in dog heart muscle cells was studied by a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) using the Osmium-DMSO-Osmium method. Sarcoplasmic reticulum, T-tubule, mitochondria, intercalated disc, surface vesicles and sarcolemma were definitely observed in three dimensions, and the relationship of sarcoplasmic reticulum to other intracellular structures was clearly demonstrated. Especially, the connection between T-tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum was sometimes observed. On the surface of intercalated disc, small holes of 100 nm in diameter which were lined by a boundary layer were seen among papillary projections. Their functional role remains unsettled.
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009206:Myocardium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012508:Sarcolemma / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure