STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF THE FUSION PORE IN LIVE CELLS

• DOI: 10.1006/cbir.2001.0849
• Publication Date: 2002-10-06T19:02:41Z
• Authors: Sang‐Joon Cho; Anthony S. Quinn; Marvin H. Stromer; Sudhansu Dash; Jinah Cho; Douglas J. Taatjes; Bhanu P. Jena
• Keywords: Acinar cell; Immunogold labelling; Acinus; Cytochalasin

Atomic force microscopy reveal pit‐like structures typically containing three or four, ∼150nm in diameter depressions at the apical plasma membrane live pancreatic acinar cells. Stimulation of secretion causes these to dilate and return their resting size following completion process. Exposure cells cytochalasin B results decreased depression a loss stimulable secretion. It is hypothesized that are fusion pores, where membrane‐bound secretory vesicles dock fuse release vesicular contents. Zymogen granules, exocrine pancreas, contain starch digesting enzyme, amylase. Using amylase‐specific immunogold labeling, localization amylase stimulation demonstrated. This study confirms be pores High‐resolution images pore structure much greater detail than has previously been observed.