Freeze-fracture characteristics of the ocellar retina of the honeybee, Apis mellifica carnica pollm. (Hymenoptera : Apidae)

1985 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kral ◽  
H. Bradacs ◽  
M.A. Pabst
Keyword(s):  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Fracture Characteristics ◽  
Apis Mellifica

A reliable method for obtaining matched replicas of freeze-fractured cell suspensions

1980 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 389-400
Author(s):  
M.H. Wilkinson ◽  
D.H. Northcote
Keyword(s):  
Reliable Method ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Cell Suspensions ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Fracture Characteristics ◽  
Sample Digestion ◽  
Isolated Protoplasts ◽  
Glass Capillaries ◽  
Excellent Preservation ◽  
Membrane Ultrastructure

A method that overcomes the majority of practical problems involved in performing matched freeze-fracture replication of cell suspensions is described. Specimens are rapidly frozen between copper support plates. The prior attachment of gold grids to the plates using Formvar ensures the exact alignment of corresponding grid squares and the production of a central fissure running through the specimen upon fracturing. Grids, with replicas permanently attached, are removed from the support plates by dissolving the Formvar. Sample digestion and rinsing of replicas is by a gentle procedure employing glass capillaries as a means of handling the grids. Matched replication of plant and animal cells has been achieved by this methods. Apart from the excellent preservation of the membrane ultrastructure of unfixed cells and the capacity for matching both membrane halves this technique also enhances the fracture characteristics of certain specimens, notably isolated protoplasts, providing larger fracture faces than are obtained by the knife-splintering method.

Freeze-fracture characteristics of insect gustatory and olfactory sensilla. II. Cuticular features

1984 ◽  
Vol 179 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fran M. van der Wolk ◽  
B. Ph. M. Menco ◽  
H. Van Der Starre
Keyword(s):  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Olfactory Sensilla ◽  
Fracture Characteristics

Ultrastructural Investigations of the Contractile Filaments of Amoebae

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 188-189
Author(s):  
P.L. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Cytoplasmic Streaming ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Amoeboid Movement ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Chemical Conditions ◽  
Complete Interpretation

Previous freeze fracture results on the intact giant, amoeba Chaos carolinensis indicated the presence of a fibrillar arrangement of filaments within the cytoplasm. A complete interpretation of the three dimensional ultrastructure of these structures, and their possible role in amoeboid movement was not possible, since comparable results could not be obtained with conventional fixation of intact amoebae. Progress in interpreting the freeze fracture images of amoebae required a more thorough understanding of the different types of filaments present in amoebae, and of the ways in which they could be organized while remaining functional.The recent development of a calcium sensitive, demembranated, amoeboid model of Chaos carolinensis has made it possible to achieve a better understanding of such functional arrangements of amoeboid filaments. In these models the motility of demembranated cytoplasm can be controlled in vitro, and the chemical conditions necessary for contractility, and cytoplasmic streaming can be investigated. It is clear from these studies that “fibrils” exist in amoeboid models, and that they are capable of contracting along their length under conditions similar to those which cause contraction in vertebrate muscles.

Photoreceptor disk membrane substructures by means of the complementary freeze-fracture-replica methods

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-157
Author(s):  
A. Tonosaki ◽  
M. Yamasaki ◽  
H. Washioka ◽  
J. Mizoguchi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Membranes ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Purple Membrane ◽  
Remarkable Case ◽  
Single Face ◽  
Disk Membrane ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Photoreceptor Membranes

A vertebrate disk membrane is composed of 40 % lipids and 60 % proteins. Its fracture faces have been classed into the plasmic (PF) and exoplasmic faces (EF), complementary with each other, like those of most other types of cell membranes. The hypothesis assuming the PF particles as representing membrane-associated proteins has been challenged by serious questions if they in fact emerge from the crystalline formation or decoration effects during freezing and shadowing processes. This problem seems to be yet unanswered, despite the remarkable case of the purple membrane of Halobacterium, partly because most observations have been made on the replicas from a single face of specimen, and partly because, in the case of photoreceptor membranes, the conformation of a rhodopsin and its relatives remains yet uncertain. The former defect seems to be partially fulfilled with complementary replica methods.

Decoration of specific sites on freeze-fractured membranes

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-141
Author(s):  
H. Gross ◽  
H. Moor
Keyword(s):  
Pure Water ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Surface Forces ◽  
Sulfate Pentahydrate ◽  
Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Water Of Hydration ◽  
Small Container ◽  
Binding Forces

Fracturing under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV, p ≤ 10-9 Torr) produces membrane fracture faces devoid of contamination. Such clean surfaces are a prerequisite foe studies of interactions between condensing molecules is possible and surface forces are unequally distributed, the condensate will accumulate at places with high binding forces; crystallites will arise which may be useful a probes for surface sites with specific physico-chemical properties. Specific “decoration” with crystallites can be achieved nby exposing membrane fracture faces to water vopour. A device was developed which enables the production of pure water vapour and the controlled variation of its partial pressure in an UHV freeze-fracture apparatus (Fig.1a). Under vaccum (≤ 10-3 Torr), small container filled with copper-sulfate-pentahydrate is heated with a heating coil, with the temperature controlled by means of a thermocouple. The water of hydration thereby released enters a storage vessel.

Freeze-fracture, freeze-etch complementary pairs of virus-infected cells reveal value of etching even when relatively high concentrations of cryoprotectants are used

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-137
Author(s):  
Russell L. Steere ◽  
Eric F. Erbe
Keyword(s):  
Plant Tissue ◽  
Phosphate Buffer ◽  
Infected Plant ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Virus Infected Plant ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
High Concentrations

It has been assumed by many involved in freeze-etch or freeze-fracture studies that it would be useless to etch specimens which were cryoprotected by more than 15% glycerol. We presumed that the amount of cryoprotective material exposed at the surface would serve as a contaminating layer and prevent the visualization of fine details. Recent unexpected freeze-etch results indicated that it would be useful to compare complementary replicas in which one-half of the frozen-fractured specimen would be shadowed and replicated immediately after fracturing whereas the complement would be etched at -98°C for 1 to 10 minutes before being shadowed and replicated.Standard complementary replica holders (Steere, 1973) with hinges removed were used for this study. Specimens consisting of unfixed virus-infected plant tissue infiltrated with 0.05 M phosphate buffer or distilled water were used without cryoprotectant. Some were permitted to settle through gradients to the desired concentrations of different cryoprotectants.

Ca-Histochemistry in slime mold plasmodia

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-131
Author(s):  
Ulrich Dierkes
Keyword(s):  
Physarum Polycephalum ◽  
Carbon Coating ◽  
Freeze Drying ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Freeze Substitution ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Slime Mold ◽  
Staining Procedure ◽  
Protoplasmic Streaming ◽  
Intracellular Ca

Calcium is supposed to play an important role in the control of protoplasmic streaming in slime mold plasmodia. The motive force for protoplasmic streaming is generated by the interaction of actin and myosin. This contraction is supposed to be controlled by intracellular Ca-fluxes similar to the triggering system in skeleton muscle. The histochemical localisation of calcium however is problematic because of the possible diffusion artifacts especially in aquous media.To evaluate this problem calcium localisation was studied in small pieces of shock frozen (liquid propane at -189°C) plasmodial strands of Physarum polycephalum, which were further processed with 3 different methods: 1) freeze substitution in ethanol at -75°C, staining in 100% ethanol with 1% uranyl acetate, and embedding in styrene-methacrylate. For comparison the staining procedure was omitted in some preparations. 2)Freeze drying at about -95°C, followed by immersion with 100% ethanol containing 1% uranyl acetate, and embedding. 3) Freeze fracture, carbon coating and SEM investigation at temperatures below -100° C.

Heterogeneity of Size and Distribution of Intramembrane Particles in the Plasma Membrane of Yeast

1977 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 596-597
Author(s):  
E. Keyhani
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Candida Utilis ◽  
Synthetic Medium ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Translational Diffusion ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Intramembrane Particles ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Water Cell

The matrix of biological membranes consists of a lipid bilayer into which proteins or protein aggregates are intercalated. Freeze-fracture techni- ques permit these proteins, perhaps in association with lipids, to be visualized in the hydrophobic regions of the membrane. Thus, numerous intramembrane particles (IMP) have been found on the fracture faces of membranes from a wide variety of cells (1-3). A recognized property of IMP is their tendency to form aggregates in response to changes in experi- mental conditions (4,5), perhaps as a result of translational diffusion through the viscous plane of the membrane. The purpose of this communica- tion is to describe the distribution and size of IMP in the plasma membrane of yeast (Candida utilis).Yeast cells (ATCC 8205) were grown in synthetic medium (6), and then harvested after 16 hours of culture, and washed twice in distilled water. Cell pellets were suspended in growth medium supplemented with 30% glycerol and incubated for 30 minutes at 0°C, centrifuged, and prepared for freeze-fracture, as described earlier (2,3).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document