[Evidence that uroplakins exist in the intermediate cell of mouse bladder epithelium]

Asymmetric unit membrane (AUM) consisting of uroplakins is a remarkable structure in the apical plasma membrane of mammalian urothelium. The present study demonstrated that uroplakins existed in intermediate cells of mouse bladder epithelium and formed the typical AUM only in fusiform vesicles of the intermediate cells. The fusiform vesicle is also associated tightly with intermediate filament much like in those of superficial cells. This presents a reliable evidence for the morphogenesis of AUM and the differentiation model of bladder urothelium.