The cytoplasm of pancreatic beta cells contains a network of microfilaments 40–70 Å in diameter (cell web), which is particularly evident at the cell periphery. The use of immunofluorescent techniques to detect the presence of actin indicates that the cytoplasm of isolated and cultivated pancreatic endocrine cells contains significant amounts of actin, thus suggesting that this protein is a component of the cytoplasmic web. The correlation of immunofluorescence and ultrastructure may be useful in evaluating the role of contractile protein in beta cell function. (Endocrinology95: 1630, 1974)

This content is only available as a PDF.
You do not currently have access to this article.