Structure of oxyntic cell membranes during conditions of rest and secretion of HCl as revealed by freeze-fracture.

The density and distribution of membrane associated particles of piglet oxyntic cell tubulovesicular and apical surface membranes were investigated during resting (nonsecreting) and secreting conditions. For the resting oxyntic cell, the abundant tubulovesicles showed a highly asymmetrical distribution of particles between fracture faces, with the P face heavily studded by particles and the E face particle deficient. The apical surface, however, had a relatively symmetrical distribution of particles on both membrane fracture faces. In contrast to the resting state, the apical surface of the stimulated oxyntic cell showed a marked asymmetry of membrane particles; the P face had a high density of particles, while there was a scarcity of particles on the E face. The observed changes in apical surface membrane particle distribution support the hypothesis that, following the initiation of acid secretion, the tubulovesicles fuse with and become an integral part of the apical surface. Thus, the apical membrane P face of the stimulated cell is enriched and the E face is diluted by the incorporation of tubulovesicular membranes.