ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pinealocytes
;
Cotton rat
;
X-ray microanalysis
;
Protein digestion
;
Inclusion bodies
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Pinealocytes of the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) often contain large (2–6 μm diameter) intracytoplasmic inclusions, the function of which is not known. These inclusions may represent nucleolus-like bodies, mineral deposits, secretory products or viral inclusions. In this study these inclusions were classified as type A, B or C inclusions based on the amount of electron-dense material interspersed within the finely granular material comprising the bulk of these inclusions. Each type of inclusion was analyzed by X-ray microanalysis and enzymatic protein-aceous digestion. X-ray microanalysis of these inclusions differed both quantitatively and semiquantitatively from that of human or gerbil pineal concretions, the latter two of which are extracellular deposits. Pronase, a proteolytic enzyme, digested the electron-dense material only after longer times of tissue exposure to this enzyme in contrast to the easily digested, finely granular matrix-like material of these inclusions. Such intrapinealocytic inclusions have only been observed in the cotton rat. Their functional significance remains unknown.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00213796
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