High-resolution cryo-scanning electron microscopy study of the macromolecular structure of fibronectin fibrils

摘要

High-resolution cryo-scanning electron micro- scopy was used to examine fibronectin fibrils formed in cul- ture by human skin fibroblasts and in a cell-free system by denaturing soluble plasma fibronectin with granidine. These studies indicate that the conformation of fibrils formed in cul- ture and in a cell-free system appeared to be similar and that fibronectin fibrils have at least two distinct structural confor- mations. Fibronectin fibrils can be very straight structures with smooth surfaces or highly nodular structures.