Laser confocal scanning microscopy of the surface membrane/T-tubular system and the sarcoplasmic reticulum in insect striated muscle stained with DilC18(3).

The structure of the surface membrane/transverse tubular (T-tubular) system and of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of the labial adductor muscle of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) was examined by laser confocal scanning microscopy, after staining with the fluorescent membrane probe DiIC18(3). The following components of the surface membrane/T-tubular system were visualized: transverse tubular networks that are located in the A-band close to the A-I junction and form dyads with the SR, longitudinal tubules that link the T-tubular networks within the between sarcomeres, and surface invaginations of larger diameter that contain tracheoles. The well developed SR forms a dense network of branching and anastomosing tubules in the A-band. A few tubular elements in the interfibrillar space in the I-band link the SR of adjacent sarcomeres. This study demonstrates the advantages of the laser confocal microscope and lipophilic fluorescent dyes for studying the 3-D structure of cellular membrane systems.