Figure 2.

The Sertoli cell cytoskeleton. Shown is a schematic diagram of one Sertoli cell, adjacent germ cells, and the Sertoli cell cytoskeleton. The Sertoli cell is columnar in form with cytoplasmic processes surrounding juxtaposed germ cells. Actin-based microfilaments are associated with basal ectoplasmic specializations (arrowheads) between adjacent Sertoli cell. Actin-based microfilaments are also located at apical ectoplasmic specializations and tubulobulbar complex junctions between the Sertoli cell and elongate spermatid nuclei (black arrow). Microtubules (curved arrow) extend from the Sertoli cell nucleus into apical cytoplasmic processes and are also juxtaposed to ectoplasmic specialization junctions between the Sertoli cell and elongate spermatid. Lastly, intermediate filaments (white arrow) surround the Sertoli cell nucleus and extend to desmosome junctions between the Sertoli cell and germ cells.