Direct imaging of the three-dimensional ultrastructure of neuronal organelles.

ABSTRACT: In the context of cell morphological analyses observing organelles embedded within the cell matrix is difficult. The osmium maceration method is a unique technique used to directly observe the three-dimensional structure of organelles through scanning electron microscopy, without requiring time-consuming and labor-intensive reconstruction. In this method, tissues are immersed in a diluted osmium solution for several days to remove cytosolic soluble proteins and filamentous structures, including microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, from the freeze-cracked surfaces of cells, leaving the subcellular structures, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum intact. Specimen preparation involves several key steps, specifically pre-fixation with a

SUBMITTER: Koga D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12513917 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature