Vacuolation in T-tubules as a model for tubular-vesicular transformations in biomembrane systems

Abstract

This review outlines the basic properties of T-tubules in skeletal muscle cells, and the factors that govern reversible vacuolation in T-tubules under experimental conditions. Comparable membranous transformations, involving the plasma membrane or occurring intracellularly, in non-muscle cells are then considered. Finally, the mechanisms of similar transformations in various model membrane systems are discussed. In view of the similarities between reversible vacuolation in the T-system and membrane transformations occurring in a variety of non-muscle cells, it is suggested that reversible vacuolation in T-tubules may be regarded as a general model for tubular-vesicular transformations in biomembranes.