Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Concomitant Isolation of Primary Astrocytes and Microglia for Protozoa Parasite Infection
Published on: March 18, 2020
Demonstration of membrane-associated and oriented microfilaments in Amoeba proteus by means of a Schiff
Abstract:
After fixation with a reaction product of glutaraldehyde and spermidine phosphate Amoeba proteus cells show a network of cortical microfilaments and oriented bundles of thick and thin filaments. The cortical filament network appears to be membrane-attached and extends beneath the whole cytoplasmic membrane surface. In the uroid region and in retracting pseudopods the cortical layer is thicker than in advancing cell regions. The filament bundles are located predominantly in the ectoplasmic tube within the cortical network. They strictly parallel the cell surface contours.
Insights
Amoeba proteus cells possess a membrane-attached cortical microfilament network and oriented thick and thin filament bundles. This structure varies in thickness across cell regions, suggesting roles in cell shape and movement.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cytoskeleton Research
- Microscopy Techniques
Background:
- Amoeba proteus is a model organism for studying cell motility and morphology.
- The cell cortex plays a crucial role in maintaining cell shape and enabling movement.
- Understanding the structural organization of the cytoskeleton is fundamental to cell biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural organization of the cytoskeleton in Amoeba proteus.
- To characterize the distribution and arrangement of microfilaments and filament bundles in the cell cortex.
- To correlate cytoskeletal structure with cell morphology and dynamic regions like pseudopods.
Main Methods:
- Fixation of Amoeba proteus cells using a glutaraldehyde and spermidine phosphate reaction product.
- Transmission electron microscopy to visualize the cortical cytoskeleton.
- Analysis of filament network and bundle organization in different cell regions.
Main Results:
- A network of cortical microfilaments was observed, attached to the cytoplasmic membrane.
- Oriented bundles of thick and thin filaments were found within the cortical network.
- The cortical layer was thicker in the uroid and retracting pseudopods compared to advancing regions.
- Filament bundles were located in the ectoplasmic tube and followed cell surface contours.
Conclusions:
- Amoeba proteus exhibits a complex, membrane-associated cortical cytoskeleton.
- The observed structural organization suggests the cytoskeleton's involvement in maintaining cell shape and facilitating directed cell movement.
- Regional variations in cortical thickness correlate with cell dynamics, highlighting the cytoskeleton's adaptive role.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Fixation and Sectioning
The simplest type of preparation is the wet mount, in which the specimen is placed in a drop of liquid on the slide. A liquid specimen can be directly deposited on the slide using a dropper. Solid specimens, such as skin scraping, can be placed on the slide before adding a drop of liquid to prepare the wet mount. Sometimes the liquid is simply water, but stains are often added...
01:20Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy