[Conformational alteration of the Antennulae microvillares (author's transl)]

Brush border cells of the rectal mucosa of the rat previously fixed with glutaraldehyde and OsO4 exhibit branched antennulae microvillares. This regular type of antennulae changes to become a cap-like layer at the tip of the microvilli following the incubation in 100 mM EDTA and 1 M guanidinium hydrochloride, respectively, of the native mucosa. During an incubation in isotonic sucrose the antennulae are transformed to moderately branched rod-like forms. The findings suggest a collaps of antennulae whose anchoring at the membrane of the microvilli appears to be resistant and, presumably, may prevent the loss of this mucosubstance.