(A) Membrane Domain - Kisses & Strands:
- total double membrane thickness is ~ 110 angstroms
- kisses spanning ~ 200 to 500 nm along the lateral plasma
membrnae
- formed by pairs of intramembrane strands, one from each adjacent cell
- strands assembled
from polymerization of ~8-10 nm diameter particles
- strands form adhesive, mobile & tensile elements
- parallel strands are found in myelin & sertoli cells
- network strands are found in all epithelial cells
- strands are present in both "tight" and "leaky" tight junctions (i.e. strands ≠ barrier)
(B) Intracellular Domain - Plaque & Cytoskeleton:
- cytoplasmic dense material of ~ 30 to 100 nm thick
- plauque consists of heterogeneous arrays of globular
particles
(C)
Extracellular Domain - Amorphous & Membrane Inclusions:
- electron dense material encased within
kisses
- membraneous vesicles encased within kisses
