Gap junctions in early amphibian embryos

Am J Anat. 1980 Jun;158(2):111-4. doi: 10.1002/aja.1001580202.

Abstract

Cell pairs from late cleavage and early blastula Ambystoma mexicanum embryos were found to be electrotonically coupled. Thin-section electron microscopy revealed typical gap junctions between the cells. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy showed the gap junctions to be comprised of aggregations of 8.5-nm P-face particles and corresponding E-face pits. The conductance of the amphibian embryonic gap junction is known to be voltage-dependent, but no obvious gating structure was resolved by these morphological techniques.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Ambystoma mexicanum
  • Animals
  • Blastomeres / physiology
  • Blastomeres / ultrastructure*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Freeze Fracturing
  • Intercellular Junctions / ultrastructure*
  • Microscopy, Electron