Identification of two types of beta-COP vesicles in the Golgi complex of rat spermatids

In the present study, immunoelectron microscopy was used to characterize two types of coated vesicles at the trans Golgi reticulum (TGR) of rat early spermatids. Most of the coated vesicles and buds had a 18.4 +/- 0.5 nm thick electron-dense coat. The size of the vesicles without the coat was 102.6 +/- 3.6 nm. This coat reacted with antibodies against clathrin. Immunolabeling for clathrin was almost restricted to the trans Golgi area (86% of the total labeling in the Golgi complex). In addition, we found a homogeneous population of small vesicles and buds bearing a approximately 10 nm thick coat which reacted with antibodies against beta-COP. beta-COP-immunoreactive vesicles were detected at the cis side (32%), lateral rims (27%) and trans face (40%) of the Golgi complex. The diameters of beta-COP-immunoreactive vesicles at the TGR and cis Golgi side were 53.9 +/- 1.3 and 42.1 +/- 1.1 nm, respectively. Cis Golgi elements were identified by using antibodies against markers of the Golgi intermediate compartment p 58, p 53 and Rab 2. Some beta-COP labeling was also found at the acrosomal membrane and associated buds. These results indicate that the TGR of early spermatids contains COP-coated vesicles which are different to those found at the cis Golgi side.