Freeze-Fracture Study of the Plasma Membrane of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis

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Abstract
The ultrastructure of the plasma membrane of promastigotes of L. m. amazonensis was studied by freeze-fracture techniques. Measurement of the number of intramembranous particles/.mu.m2 of membrane area revealed a particle density of 2040 .+-. 213/.mu.m2 on the P[protoplasmic]-face and 890 .+-. 186 .mu.m2 on the E[exoplasmic]-face. The particle density of the flagellar membrane was 448 .+-. 53/.mu.m2. Clusters of intramembranous particles were seen on the flagellar membrane at the region of adhesion between the flagellum and the cell body. Aggregation of particles was observed in P and E faces of the plasma membrane of some cells.