title: Does freeze-substitution reveal the hydrophobic nature of interprotofilament bonding in microtubules?
abstract: The massive system of microtubules in the ovarioles of Notonecta glauca has been prepared for electron microscopy by means of freeze-substitution. With this technique the protofilaments comprising the microtubule walls can be observed in positive image, indicating that the procedure provides a valuable method for observing microtubule substructure. Surprisingly though, the cryoprotectants, which are an integral part of the method, caused a rearrangement of the microtubules from their usual pattern in the ovarioles. These observations, we believe, provide an insight into intra- and intermicrotubule interactions respectively.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D007313:Insecta / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010053:Ovary / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water