Fine structure of isolated fibrils from the cuticle of Lumbricus sp.

A method has been developed to isolate and purify cuticular fibrils of Lumbricus. Polarizing microscopy confirms the collagenous nature of the isolated fibrils. Study in the electron microscope of isolated fibrils, negatively or positively stained, shows that they are cylindrical, unbranching and without periodic structure. Enzymatic treatment of cuticles with alpha-amylase and trypsin results in a more or less complete dissociation of the fibrils which appear clearly to be made up of helically wound bundles of filaments (30-40 A). The biophysical data and compared to the ultrastructural organization of other periodically cross-banded fibrils.