Membrane alterations in the seminal vesicle cells of the mouse during cooling in vitro: short communication
Kovács, J.; Kovács, A.
Acta Biologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 28(2): 231-233
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5288 PMID: 605716 Document Number: 123909
Cooling of mouse seminal vesicle cells in vitro induced detachment of ribosomes from certain areas of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and folding of the resulting smooth membranes around parts of the cytoplasm according to electron micrographs. Lipids of artificial and biomembranes were previously shown to undergo phase changes from the fluid to the crystalline state during chilling. The described alterations occurred in seminal vesicle cells within a temperature range (6.degree.-22.degree. C) characteristic of phase transitions in other cells. The observed morphological changes may be related to the cold-induced phase-transition events in certain parts of the membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.