Insect UV-, and green-photoreceptor membranes studied by the freeze-fracture technique |
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Authors: | Priv-Doz Dr rer nat Elvira Nickel Randolf Menzel |
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Institution: | (1) Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, and Technische Hochschule Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Federal Republic of Germany;(2) Universität Konstanz, Fachbereich Biologie, Postfach 7733, D-7750 Konstanz, Federal Republic of Germany |
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Abstract: | Summary The membranes of the microvilli of UV- and green-photoreceptors of the ant Myrmecia gulosa have been studied with the freeze-fracture technique. Both inner fracture faces, the cytoplasmic P-face and the extracellular E-face, are covered by globular particles. The P-face particles appear to be randomly distributed, occasionally forming clusters. Their density is about 7,000/m2, and their mean diameter is 8.5 nm. The E-face particles, however, are arranged in an ordered square pattern with a center-to-center spacing of 9 nm. The density and distribution of P- and E-face particles are the same in both the UV- and the green-photoreceptor membranes. No differences were found in the ultrastructural organization of photoreceptor membranes after dark or light adaptation. It is suggested that the P-face particles represent rhodopsin molecules. |
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Keywords: | Invertebrate photoreceptor membranes Freeze-fracture study |
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