Contraction of isolated smooth-muscle cells--structural changes.
The contraction of isolated smooth-muscle cells has been correlated with evagination of the cell membrane, a marked change in myofilament orientation, and a decrease in cellular volume. Both localized and full contractions have been elicited in the same cell by varying the intensity of electrical stimulation. These results may be explained by a model of the smooth-muscle cell in which the contractile apparatus extends between attachment sites on the cell membrane that are relatively closely spaced.
D000818:Animals; D002024:Bufo marinus; D002462:Cell Membrane; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology*; D009210:Myofibrils; D013270:Stomach / Q000166:cytology