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. 1976 Mar 1;68(3):775–781. doi: 10.1083/jcb.68.3.775

Fusion of the envelope of mucous droplets with the luminal plasma membrane in acinar cells of the cat submandibular gland

PMCID: PMC2109641  PMID: 1025155

Abstract

The release of mucus from acinar cells of the cat submandibular gland was examined by electron microscopy. The limiting membrane of mucous droplets fuses with the luminal plasma membrane to form a five-layered contact. This is converted to a three-layered membrane (unit membrane) by avulsion of the plasmalemma. Attenuation and rupture of this membranous barrier permits the contents of the mucous droplets to flow into the lumen.

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Selected References

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