Three Dimentional Observations of Stria Vascularis by Deep-Etching Method

Abstract

Quick freeze, deep-etch study was done to observe the three-dimentional views of membranes and organelles of stria vascularis. Clathrin basckets of coated vesicles were clearly observed as honey-comb structure, composed of hexagons and pentagons. Most of the basckets were connected to its circumferance by short fibrils. It was seemed that the fibrils had some roles in vesicular transport in marginal cells. Microtubular bundles of cytoplasmic protrusions at base of marginal cells were also observed. Any linking-fibrils between microtubules were not seen in this portion. Many gap junctions were also observed between marginal cells, intermediate cells and basal cells. In some replcas, we observed many protrusions on PS face adjoining the EF face of gap junction.