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Abstract
Electrophysiological measurements on live secretory cells almost a decade ago suggested the presence of fusion pores at the cell plasma membrane. Membrane-bound secretory vesicles were hypothesized to dock and fuse at these sites, to release their contents. Our studies using atomic force microscopy on live exocrine and neuroendocrine cells demonstrate the presence of such plasma membrane pores, revealing their morphology and dynamics at near nm resolution and in real time.
Publication types
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
- Review
MeSH terms
- Cell Membrane / metabolism
- Cell Membrane / ultrastructure*
- Chromaffin Cells / metabolism
- Chromaffin Cells / ultrastructure
- Endocrine System / metabolism*
- Endocrine System / ultrastructure
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry / methods
- Membrane Fusion / physiology*
- Microscopy, Atomic Force / instrumentation
- Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
- Pancreas / metabolism
- Pancreas / ultrastructure
- Pituitary Gland / metabolism
- Pituitary Gland / ultrastructure
- Porosity
- Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure*
- Somatostatin / metabolism
Substances
- Somatostatin
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