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The distribution of actin filaments in pyloric gland cells of cattle was studied with respect to their functional significance in the process of exocrine secretion by use of rhodamine-phalloidin labelling and immunogold-electron microscopy based on the biotinstreptavidin bridge technique. Actin concentrates on the filamentous network of the luminal cell cortex. Membranes of secretory vesicles accumulating in the cell cortex are also labelled for actin. The present results support the concept of a barrier function of cortical microfilaments entrapping vesicles and linking them to the cytoskeleton. In addition, intracellular localization of calcium-ATPase activity was determined. Enzyme activity associated with the microfilamentous cortical matrix is supposed to be of cytoskeletal nature indicating participation of myosin (-like) structures in the dynamic secretion event. Deposition on the interior aspect of secretory vesicle membranes points to an ATPase transporting calcium into these organelles and enabling them to participate via storage of the cation in intracellular calcium homeostasis, thereby influencing the functional architecture of the cortical cytoskeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]