Summary
Exposure of cultured CVI monkey kidney cells to a hypotonic medium containing a nonionic detergent induces a partial decondensation of nuclear components which can be studied advantageously in ultrathin sections. In addition to previously described 20–25 nm, DNA-containing chromatin fibres arrayed perpendicularly to the nuclear lamina, a new nuclear configuration was found which consists of abundant clusters of 6–7 nm fibrils. These ‘filamentous masses’ are the most heavily labelled component of the nucleus in autoradiographs after brief (2 min) exposure to [5-3H]uridine, and they are greatly diminished in number after treatment of the cells with a low dose of actinomycin D. Therefore, we interpret the filamentous masses to be nascent RNP and to represent the fibrillar regions of the nucleolus which have become decondensed into partially spread ‘Christmas-tree’-like figures detectable in situ in ultrathin sections. Similar structures occur in all cell types examined to date. This paper outlines the preparative procedure.
- © 1980 by Company of Biologists
Article navigation
Related articles
Cited by...
More in this TOC section
Similar articles
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Introducing FocalPlane’s new Community Manager, Esperanza Agullo-Pascual
We are pleased to welcome Esperanza to the Journal of Cell Science team. The new Community Manager for FocalPlane, Esperanza is joining us from the Microscopy Core at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Find out more about Esperanza in her introductory post over on FocalPlane.
New funding scheme supports sustainable events
As part of our Sustainable Conferencing Initiative, we are pleased to announce funding for organisers that seek to reduce the environmental footprint of their event. The next deadline to apply for a Scientific Meeting grant is 26 March 2021.
Read & Publish participation continues to grow
"Alongside pre-printing for early documentation of work, such mechanisms are particularly helpful for early-career researchers like me.”
Dr Chris MacDonald (University of York) shares his experience of publishing Open Access as part of our growing Read & Publish initiative. We now have over 150 institutions in 15 countries and four library consortia taking part – find out more and view our full list of participating institutions.
Cell scientist to watch: Romain Levayer
In an interview, Romain Levayer talks about starting his own lab, his love for preprints and his experience of balancing parenting with his research goals.
Live lactating mammary tissue
In a stunning video, Stewart et al. demonstrate warping of the alveolar unit due to basal cell-generated force as part of their recent work investigating roles for mechanically activated ion channels in lactation and involution.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch more videos from JCS, our sister journals and the Company.
JCS and COVID-19
For more information on measures Journal of Cell Science is taking to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, please see here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestiate to contact the Editorial Office.