Three-dimensional architecture of murine rod outer segments determined by cryoelectron tomography.

ABSTRACT: The rod outer segment (ROS) of photoreceptor cells houses all components necessary for phototransduction, a set of biochemical reactions that amplify and propagate a light signal. Theoretical approaches to quantify this process require precise information about the physical boundaries of the ROS. Dimensions of internal structures within the ROS of mammalian species have yet to be determined with the precision required for quantitative considerations. Cryoelectron tomography was utilized to obtain reliable three-dimensional morphological information about this important structure from murine retina. Vitrification of samples permitted imaging of the ROS in a minimally perturbed manner and the preservation of substructures. Tomograms revealed the characteristic highly organized arrangement of

SUBMITTER: Nickell S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2064290 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature