title: Possible roles of extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton in leech body wall muscles.
abstract: Round circomyarian fibres of leeches are peculiar helical muscles. The fibres are characterized by a lack of junctions, being separated by a thick extracellular matrix, and by scarce end-plates. Even so, the fibres grouped in units show the same degree of contraction. Biochemical, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed in order: (a) to demonstrate the presence in the extracellular matrix of fibronectin, collagen type IV and laminin and in the cytoskeleton of desmin and alpha-actinin; (b) to show the possible link of extracellular matrix with the scaffold of intermediate filaments; (c) to evaluate how the extracellular matrix can play a role in the transduction of a signal during contraction-relaxation-superelongation phases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.lastname: De Eguileor M
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boselli
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tettamanti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lurati
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valvassori
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanzavecchia