Biomaterial Database

Fat droplet formation in rat lactating mammary gland and mammary carcinomas viewed by freeze-fracture. 1979

A Peixoto de Menezes, and P Pinto da Silva

The freeze-fracture morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus membranes was analyzed in lactating rat mammary glands and in mammary carcinomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene or N-nitrosomethylurea. Membranes in close proximity with fat droplets present a spectrum of transformations, from the normal, wavy, particle-rich appearance of cytoplasmic membranes to rigid, particle-free bilayers. The following sequence of events is proposed for the biogenesis of fat droplets: (1) formation of particle-free areas in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes; (2) apposition of the bilayered lipid membranes to the growing fat droplet; and (3) progressive conversion of the membrane lipids (or amphypathic lipid precursors) into triglycerides at the periphery of the fat droplet. Our results suggest that membranes are not only involved in the synthesis and secretion processes, but that some of their components are incorporated in the fat droplets and contribute to the secretory product itself.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007425	Intracellular Membranes	Thin structures that encapsulate subcellular structures or ORGANELLES in EUKARYOTIC CELLS. They include a variety of membranes associated with the CELL NUCLEUS; the MITOCHONDRIA; the GOLGI APPARATUS; the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM; LYSOSOMES; PLASTIDS; and VACUOLES.	Membranes, Intracellular,Intracellular Membrane,Membrane, Intracellular
D007774	Lactation	The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN.	Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D008055	Lipids	A generic term for fats and lipoids, the alcohol-ether-soluble constituents of protoplasm, which are insoluble in water. They comprise the fats, fatty oils, essential oils, waxes, phospholipids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, aminolipids, chromolipids (lipochromes), and fatty acids. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Lipid
D008321	Mammary Glands, Animal	MAMMARY GLANDS in the non-human MAMMALS.	Mammae,Udder,Animal Mammary Glands,Animal Mammary Gland,Mammary Gland, Animal,Udders
D008325	Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental	Experimentally induced mammary neoplasms in animals to provide a model for studying human BREAST NEOPLASMS.	Experimental Mammary Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Experimental Mammary,Experimental Mammary Neoplasm,Mammary Neoplasm, Experimental,Neoplasm, Experimental Mammary
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D008770	Methylnitrosourea	A nitrosourea compound with alkylating, carcinogenic, and mutagenic properties.	Nitrosomethylurea,N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea,NSC-23909,N Methyl N nitrosourea,NSC 23909,NSC23909
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D004721	Endoplasmic Reticulum	A system of cisternae in the CYTOPLASM of many cells. In places the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous with the plasma membrane (CELL MEMBRANE) or outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. If the outer surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes are coated with ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum is said to be rough-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH); otherwise it is said to be smooth-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, SMOOTH). (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Ergastoplasm,Reticulum, Endoplasmic
D005260	Female		Females