Biomaterial Database

An ultrastructural study of the cytoplasmic aspects of erythrocyte membranes by a quick-freezing and deep-etching method. 1992

S Ohno

Department of Anatomy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.

A novel method for preparing exposed cytoplasmic aspects of erythrocyte membranes is described which improves the resolution in direct electron microscope images. Normal human erythrocytes were briefly fixed with paraformaldehyde and pelleted. Glass coverslips were coated with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and glutaraldehyde to make erythrocytes stick to them. A drop containing the erythrocyte pellets was sandwiched between 2 coverslips. The attached erythrocytes were split open mechanically and postfixed with glutaraldehyde. Some were treated with Triton X-100 or postfixed with osmium tetroxide. All specimens were quickly frozen in an isopentane-propane mixture, deeply etched and rotary shadowed with platinum and carbon. Filamentous structures were seen to form networks on the cytoplasmic sides of the erythrocyte membranes. Triton X-100 and osmium tetroxide fixation distorted the fine network structure. This quick-freezing and deep-etching method will be useful in the analysis of the in situ ultrastructure of the cytoplasmic sides of erythrocyte membranes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D003599	Cytoskeleton	The network of filaments, tubules, and interconnecting filamentous bridges which give shape, structure, and organization to the cytoplasm.	Cytoplasmic Filaments,Cytoskeletal Filaments,Microtrabecular Lattice,Cytoplasmic Filament,Cytoskeletal Filament,Cytoskeletons,Filament, Cytoplasmic,Filament, Cytoskeletal,Filaments, Cytoplasmic,Filaments, Cytoskeletal,Lattice, Microtrabecular,Lattices, Microtrabecular,Microtrabecular Lattices
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts
D005613	Freeze Etching	A replica technique in which cells are frozen to a very low temperature and cracked with a knife blade to expose the interior surfaces of the cells or cell membranes. The cracked cell surfaces are then freeze-dried to expose their constituents. The surfaces are now ready for shadowing to be viewed using an electron microscope. This method differs from freeze-fracturing in that no cryoprotectant is used and, thus, allows for the sublimation of water during the freeze-drying process to etch the surfaces.	Etching, Freeze
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man