Membrane interactions between adjacent mucols secretion granules.

Abstract

In primate [human] goblet cells, the membranes of adjacent mucous granules form contact areas which appear as extensive pentalaminar fusion sites in thin sections. In freeze-fracture replicas, the same membrane areas are smooth, except for a few 6-8-nm particles which adhere to the E face. These protein-poor membrane interaction sites are relatively, and it is proposed that further stimulus may be required to trigger membrane fission.