Ribosomes and secretory granules in human mast cells: close associations demonstrated by staining with a chelating agent

Immunol Rev. 2001 Feb:179:94-101. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-065x.2001.790110.x.

Abstract

The distribution of ribosomes was investigated in mature human mast cells with a chelation-based staining protocol known to bleach DNA-rich structures, leaving RNA-rich structures unbleached. With this method, electron-dense ribosomes were adjacent to, attached to, and within secretory granules, which were also bleached with the chelation method that we used. The finding of these ribosome-secretory granule relationships suggests that secretory granules in mature human mast cells may participate in RNA metabolism.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Chelating Agents / analysis*
  • Citrates / analysis
  • Coloring Agents / analysis
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure*
  • Edetic Acid / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Lead / analysis
  • Lung / cytology
  • Mast Cells / ultrastructure*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Organometallic Compounds / analysis
  • Ribonucleoproteins / analysis
  • Ribosomes / ultrastructure*
  • Staining and Labeling / methods*

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Citrates
  • Coloring Agents
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • uranyl acetate
  • Lead
  • Edetic Acid