Serous cutaneous glands in anurans: Fourier transform analysis of the repeating secretory granule substructure

Year: 2013

Authors: Nosi D., Delfino G., Quercioli F.

Autors Affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy; Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 Florence, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche Florence Research Area, National Institute of Optics, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy

Abstract: A combined transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform analysis has been performed on the secretory granules storing active peptides/proteins in serous cutaneous glands of n = 12 anuran species. Previous TEM investigation showed that the granules are provided with remarkable repeating substructures based on discrete subunits, arranged into a consistent framework. Furthermore, TEM findings revealed that this recurrent arrangement is acquired during a prolonged post-Golgian (or maturational) processing that affects the secretory product. Maturation leads to a variety of patterns depending on the degree of subunit clustering. This variety of recurrent patterns has been plotted into a range of frequency spectra. Through this quantitative approach, we found that the varying granule substructure can be reduced to a single mechanism of peptide/protein aggregation.

Journal/Review: NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN

Volume: 100 (3)      Pages from: 209  to: 218

KeyWords: Anuran skin poisons; Fourier transform; Protein aggregation; Storing mechanism; Exocrine Glands; Fourier Analysis; Larva; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Models, Biological; Secretory Vesicles; Skin, Anura
DOI: 10.1007/s00114-013-1013-x

Citations: 5
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