ACTINFILAMENTS IN THE RUMINAL EPITHELIUM OF CATTLE

Phalloidin and immunogold labeling were used to localize actinfilament s in the ruminal pilar epithelium of adult cattle on the light and ele ctron microscopic level. Incubation with rhodaminyl-phalloidin permitt ed an overview of general actin distribution pattern. Distinct subcell ular localization of actin was revealed with the biotin-streptavidin b ridge technique in a postembedding procedure. Superior fixation of mem branes and filaments was achieved with tannic acid-glutaraldehyde. Sur face-etching prior to immunoincubation ensured restoration of actin im munoreactivity. Patterns of distribution in non-keratinized and kerati nized epithelial cells as well as in pericytes and endothelial cells p oint to cell-specific cytoskeletal and motile functions of actinfilame nts.