Goblet cell fine structure

Abstract

Abstract Although the role of the goblet cell in mucous secretion has been known since 1837, the actual process by which mucous is formed by the cell still is open to question. There is a known proliferation of the Golgi membranes during the early formation of mucous within peripheral Golgi vacuoles. However, there also is a concomitant proliferation of rough‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum which contains an electron dense material within the lamellae. It is suggested that the endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes a protein moiety which is transported to the Golgi apparatus. There the protein is combined with acid mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins, that are synthesized by the Golgi apparatus, to form the mucous droplets visible in the electron microscope. Examination of intestinal goblet cells of man, rat, and guinea pig, after stimulation of the cells to evacuate their mucous, also reveals a basic fine structure that clearly is distinguishable from the fine structure of columnar absorbing cells.