The Demarcation Membrane System of the Megakaryocyte: A Misnomer?

The concept that the demarcation membrane system delineates platelets within the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes has been examined. In short-term culture of mouse bone marrow, mature megakaryocytes extended long, attenuated processes that were found by electron microscopy to have a limited amount of inv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Blood 1982-07, Vol.60 (1), p.213-219
Main Authors: Radley, J.M., Haller, C.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Blood Platelets - cytology
Bone Marrow - drug effects
Bone Marrow Cells
Cell Differentiation
Cell Membrane - ultrastructure
Cycloheximide - pharmacology
Cytoplasm - drug effects
Cytoplasm - ultrastructure
Male
Megakaryocytes - cytology
Megakaryocytes - drug effects
Megakaryocytes - ultrastructure
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Temperature
Vincristine - pharmacology
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Summary:The concept that the demarcation membrane system delineates platelets within the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes has been examined. In short-term culture of mouse bone marrow, mature megakaryocytes extended long, attenuated processes that were found by electron microscopy to have a limited amount of invaginated membrane. When such megakaryocytes were exposed to microtubule depolymerizing agents, the attenuated processes retracted, became thicker, and an extensive demarcation membrane reappeared. It is suggested from the results that the demarcation membrane system functions to provide a membrane reserve that undergoes evagination during the formation of attenuated processes and thereby envelops putative platelets, rather than to demarcate platelets in the maturing megakaryocyte. The term “invaginated membrane system” is considered more appropriate than “demarcation membrane system.”
ISSN:0006-4971
1528-0020
DOI:10.1182/blood.V60.1.213.213