Structure of photoreceptive membranes of Drosophila compound eyes as studied by quick-freezing electron microscopy.
Photoreceptive membranes of Drosophila compound eyes were studied by quick-freezing electron microscopy. The quick-frozen photoreceptive microvilli appeared cylindrical in shape either when they were freeze-substituted or freeze-fractured. Deep-etch replication revealed the extracellular surfaces of microvilli which were covered by various particles arranged in a helical manner. The protoplasmic surfaces were covered by more regular helical rows of particles about 10 nm in diameter. When rhodopsin content of the photoreceptive membranes was reduced by vitamin A-deficiency, the intramembrane particles drastically decreased resulting in the disappearance of particles in rows. Our results strongly suggest the regular arrangement of rhodopsin molecules in invertebrate photoreceptive membranes.
Suzuki
E
E
Department of Fine Morphology, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Katayama
E
E
Hirosawa
K
K
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005613:Freeze Etching; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods*; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000473:pathology
D012243:Rhodopsin