Junction-like structure appearing at apposing membranes in the double cone of chick retina.
No type of junction has yet been recognized between the two entities of the retinal double cone. In the present study, a junction-like structure was observed in serial sections of the double cone of the chick retina. It is recognized from the slightly outer part of the double cone to the outer limiting membrane. The apposing membranes are virtually parallel and separated by 5 to 7 nm of extracellular space. Dense material is associated on the cytoplasmic side of the opposing membranes. The structure resembles a gap junction, but there are no cross striations between the two membranes. Further experiments are required to establish this as a new type of junction.
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*