A simple technique for staining of cell membranes with imidazole and osmium tetroxideG Thiery, J Bernier and M Bergeron Department of Physiology, Universite de Montreal, Quebec, Canada. We describe a simple new technique based on the affinity of imidazole and osmium tetroxide for unsaturated lipids. Organs (e.g., kidney, liver, intestine) were perfused in vivo with a glutaraldehyde solution. Tissue fragments were then immersed in a solution containing imidazole and OsO4 and are further stained with a double lead and copper citrate solution. Ultra-thin (0.06 microns) or thick (0.1-0.3 microns) sections were observed with transmission electron microscopy (80-100 kV). The method presented permits excellent visualization of cell membranes (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum, endocytotic apparatus) because it favors good resin penetration and the alkaline pH preserves cell volume. A better stereomicroscopic analysis of the relationship between cell organelles can be carried out with thick sections. The imidazole/osmium can be used routinely because the technical steps are easy and simple to follow. Furthermore, it can complement other cytochemical methods.
Volume 43,
Issue 10,
pp. 1079-1084,
10/01/1995
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S. H. Low, S. J. Chapin, C. Wimmer, S. W. Whiteheart, L. G. Komuves, K. E. Mostov, and T. Weimbs The SNARE Machinery Is Involved in Apical Plasma Membrane Trafficking in MDCK Cells J. Cell Biol., June 29, 1998; 141(7): 1503 - 1513. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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