Tomographic reconstruction reveals the morphology of a unique cellular organelle, the aggregated macrotubules (Macrotubuli aggregati) of human retinal horizontal cells.

Abstract Horizontal cells of the human retina contain unique tubular organelles that have a diameter which is about 10 times larger than that of microtubules (∼230 nm). These macrotubuli in most cases form regular aggregates. Therefore we propose to introduce them as Macrotubuli aggregati in the Terminologia histologica. Tomographic investigation of the structures revealed that the walls of the tubules most probably consist of intermediate filaments running nearly parallel to each other and show somewhat regularly attached ribosomes on their inner and also outer surface. About 2% of the organelles exhibit double- to multiple layered walls and less than 1% resemble large scrolls. The tubules…