[The origin and possible role of microvesicles in olfactory receptor cells]

Microvesicles and spherical particles have been described in the bulbs of receptor olfactory cells of Acipenser ruthenus. Two pathways of the origin of the above vesicles have been followed. These structures derive at the stage of differentiation from non-ciliary to ciliary cell type. The first of the pathways involves the autolysis of microfibril bundles produced during the regression of microvilli. The other one includes micropinocytosis induced on the basis of regressing microvilli. Taking into account the genesis of the microvesicles of the receptor cell bulb, it is concluded that they cannot contain a mediator able to modify membrane ion permeability in response to the specific stimulus of the odorant.