Ultrastructural changes in cultured glomerular epithelial cells induced by puromycin aminonucleoside: a quick-freezing and deep-etching study

The effects of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) on rat glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) in primary culture were studied using a quick-freezing and deep-etching method. On the 5th day after seeding, GECs were treated with PAN for 24 hours. The three-dimensional structure of the cell organelles, microtubules, and intermediate filaments were observed, primarily in the perinuclear areas of untreated GECs. Microfilaments were observed in marginal and basal areas. The GECs treated with PAN became rounded and partially detached from the substratum. Intermediate filaments formed bundled structures. A slight decrease in the number of microfilaments and a significant widening of their networks were observed in the basal areas of the GECs treated with PAN. These results suggest that PAN may affect the cytoskeletal components of GECs, such as the intermediate filaments and microfilaments, and may induce detachment of the cells from the substratum.