Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #75530
Title: THE PRESENCE OF AN INTERCALATED DISK-LIKE STRUCTURE IN THE HINDGUT MUSCLES OF THE COCKROACH LEUCOPHAEA MADERAE

Author
item Cook, Benjamin
item Pryor, Nan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/24/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: An interfibrillar junction with many ultra-structural features of an intercalated disk was found in the circular muscle of the anterior rectum of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. This junction consisted of a central region with a large amount of electron dense material associated with the I band of the myofibrils, and a zona occludens that extended from the region of the myofilament to the periphery of the cell. Intercalated disks have been more frequently reported in cardiac muscle. The structures appear to be sites where cell membranes between muscle cells interdigitate extensively. This ensures satisfactory adhesion to prevent separation during contraction and allows exchange of ions through gap junctions for communication between cells.