Cell junctions of the glomerular epithelium in a very early vertebrate (Myxine glutinosa)

The glomerular epithelial cells of the Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) lack a slit diaphragm which is replaced by filaments. The epithelial cells show numerous occluding junctions (maculae and fasciae occludentes), septate desmosome-like junctions and desmosomes. The present findings are compared with available data on developing and mature glomerular epithelial cells of mammals.