Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and freeze-fracture have been used to identify overlapping subdomains at the peripheral rim of the sperm-head plasma membrane (PM) and the margin of the outer acrosomal membrane (OAM) comprising the principal segment of the acrosome of the boar spermatozoon. An array of ridge-like structures (spaced 12–16 nm centre-to-centre), originally observed on the OAM by Aguas & Pinto da Silva, lies just beneath an area of the PM that is sparsely populated with large intramembranous particles compared to that of other regions of the head PM. This region has a high specificity for the lectin arachis hypogaea (peanut agglutinin). We suggest that the OAM at the rim of the sperm head may be rich in acidic phospholipids and that the close apposition of this membrane with a region of the PM relatively poor in integral membrane proteins may provide sites for initiating the acrosome reaction.
Cell Scientists to Watch
Talented researchers who have recently set up their own labs talk about their lives in and out of the lab, the journeys that led them to where they are now, the current state of science funding, and give advice on how to navigate the transition to independence.
'FocalPlane features...' webinar series
We’re excited to announce the new 'FocalPlane features…' webinar series. Covering all aspects of microscopy, join us on the first Tuesday of every month to hear about the latest research and take part in a virtual networking session with the speaker afterwards.
The Corona Files
“In the past year we have called out inequality and injustice, we have forged a public awareness of the value of science, and we have found new ways to interact around the world."
Our resident insectivore, Mole, continues his latest series – The Corona Files. Catch up on Mole’s weekly musings on how COVID-19 is changing the landscape for researchers.
Read & Publish voices: Chris MacDonald
JCS joins the Preprint Reviewer Recruitment Network
Journal of Cell Science, along with its sister journals Development and Biology Open, joins ASAPbio's Preprint Reviewer Recruitment Network, a new initiative aiming to help researchers, journals and publishers, by enabling willing researchers to share preprint feedback as work samples for review by participating journals.
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