edoc

Atomic force microscopy of Mammalian urothelial surface

Kreplak, L. and Wang, H. and Aebi, U. and Kong, X. -P.. (2007) Atomic force microscopy of Mammalian urothelial surface. Journal of molecular biology, Vol. 374, H. 2. pp. 365-373.

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5259476

Downloads: Statistics Overview

Abstract

The mammalian urothelium apical surface plays important roles in bladder physiology and diseases, and it provides a unique morphology for ultrastructural studies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an emerging tool for studying the architecture and dynamic properties of biomolecular structures under near-physiological conditions. However, AFM imaging of soft tissues remains a challenge because of the lack of efficient methods for sample stabilization. Using a porous nitrocellulose membrane as the support, we were able to immobilize large pieces of soft mouse bladder tissue, thus enabling us to carry out the first AFM investigation of the mouse urothelial surface. The submicrometer-resolution AFM images revealed many details of the surface features, including the geometry of the urothelial plaques that cover the entire surface and the membrane interdigitation at the cell borders. This interdigitation creates a membrane zipper, likely contributing to the barrier function of the urothelium. In addition, we were able to image the intracellular bacterial communities of type 1-fimbriated bacteria grown between the intermediate filament bundles of the umbrella cells, shedding light on the bacterial colonization of the urothelium.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Biozentrum > Former Organization Units Biozentrum > Structural Biology (Aebi)
UniBasel Contributors:Aebi, Ueli
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0022-2836
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Last Modified:22 Mar 2012 14:21
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 13:22

Repository Staff Only: item control page