Visualization of interchromatin granules in the cell nucleus by atomic force microscopy
Por:
Zamora-Cura A.L., Jiménez-García L.F.
Publicada:
1 ene 2014
Resumen:
The cell nucleus is a highly compartmentalized and dynamic organelle involved in several activities related to gene expression. Speckles are among those compartments observed by fluorescence microscopy. Speckles contain splicing factors involved in pre-mRNA processing. When observed by transmission electron microscopy, speckles are composed of fibers and 25-30 nm in diameter individual granules. Here we have used the atomic force microscopy to analyze speckles at the nanoscale. HepG2 cells were processed as for electron microscopy and semithin sections were observed with an atomic force microscope working under contact or tapping modes. Clusters of fibers and granules about around 20-30 nm in diameter were observed in the interchromatin space. Compared to chromatin and nucleolus, these areas display different profiles. We suggest that interchromatin material correspond to interchromatin granule clusters. Copyright © 2014 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.
Filiaciones:
Zamora-Cura A.L.:
Facultad de Medicina, Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México D.F., 04510, Mexico
Jiménez-García L.F.:
Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México D.F., 04510, Mexico
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