AJP - Cell Physiology, Vol 257, Issue 4 C658-C664, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society
Demonstration of gap junctions in frog skin epithelium
S. H. Shahin and J. T. Blankemeyer
Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078.
The morphology and distribution of the intercellular junctions were
investigated in isolated skin of Rana pipiens using various
electron-microscopic techniques. Our evidence demonstrates the presence of
gap junctions and suggests that the distribution of gap junctions is not
homogeneous among the epithelial strata. Gap junctions were less frequent
in the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum than in the stratum spinosum
and stratum germinativum. These results support a model of widespread
intercellular coupling, although the lower number of gap junctions in the
stratum granulosum suggests a possible deficiency in intercellular
coupling. Tight junctions were found only in two apical strata of the
epithelium (stratum corneum and stratum granulosum). Desmosomes were
located in all strata.
