| Author/Editor | Prelovšek, Petra-Maja; Bulog, Boris | |
| Title | Biogenesis of melanosomes in Kupffer cells of Proteus anguinus (Urodela, Amphibia) | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Pigment Cell Res | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 16 | |
| Publication year | 2003 | |
| Volume | str. 1-6 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | The ultrastructural characteristics of melanosomes and premelanosomes observed during the biogenesis of melanosomes in liver pigment cells of the neotenic cave salamander Proteus angndnus (Proteidae) are described. It is well known that amphibian liver pigment cells, also known as Kupffer cells (KC), contain melanosomes and are able to synthesize melanin. Liver pigment cells of P, anXuinua- contain numerous siderosomes and mclanosomes. The mclanosomes are grouped together within single-membrane-bounded bodies, named as 'clusters of melanosomes' or 'melanosomogenesis center's. Inside such clusters, different structures are present: (I) filament-like structures, characteristic of the initial stage of melanosome biogenesis, (2) medium electron-dense melanosomes in different stages of melanizafion, (3) melanosomes with an electron-dense cortical area and a less electron-dense medullar area, and (4) uniformly higldy electron-dense mature melanosomes or melanin granules. Histochemical and cytochemical dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidase reactions in pigment cells were positive. Our results confirm the ability of amphibian KC to synthesize melanin and contribute to this IitVe known subject. | |
| Descriptors | LIVER MONOPHENOL MONOOXYGENASE KUPFFER CELLS MELANINS CYTOPLASMIC GRANULES PROTEIDAE MICROSCOPY, ELECTRON HISTOCYTOCHEMISTRY |