title: Fine structure of the autophagosome.
abstract: This chapter describes the electron microscopic fine structure of early and late autophagic vacuoles in mammalian cells. Detailed instructions are given for the preparation of cells for conventional electron microscopy and for the identification of autophagic vacuoles by morphology. Electron microscopy remains one of the most accurate methods for quantitation of autophagic vacuole accumulation. Therefore, quantitation of autophagic vacuoles by electron microscopy and point counting is also described. Finally, a short description is given for preparation of ultra thin cryosections for immunogold labeling of autophagic vacuoles.
authors.affiliation: University of Helsinki, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Division of Biochemistry, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Eeva-Liisa
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Eskelinen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D016616:Cryoultramicrotomy; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010588:Phagosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*