Comparative study of the distribution of fuzzy coat, lectin receptors, and intramembrane particles of the ciliary membrane.

Cilia from seminal vesicles of Discoglossus (Anura, Amphibia) are partially covered with a fuzzy coat easily stained by the PATAg technique. The freeze-fractures of the ciliary membrane show large intramembrane particles (IMPs) not randomly distributed. At the base of the cilium, 3 or 4 rows of large IMPs form the ciliary necklace. Above the necklace, a 0.1 micrometer high region is devoid of particles after which the shaft membrane exhibits large IMPs coarsely lined up in 9 longitudinal rows 0.6 micrometer in height. Smaller IMPs appear randomly dispersed. The fuzzy coat is well developed in regions possessing large IMPs: the necklace region and the basal portion of the shaft. Between the necklace and the shaft, the region lacking in IMPs is also devoid of fuzzy coat. The distribution of Con A receptors is similar to that of large IMPs and to that of filaments in the fuzzy coat. On the contrary, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) receptors are randomly distributed all along the ciliary membrane. Finally, the relationships between fuzzy coat, lectin receptors, IMPs and fibrillar links between plasma membrane and microtubules of the axoneme are illustrated.