Confocal Microscopy of Adipocytes

The isolated rat adipose cell experimental system is the principal model for studies of the mechanism of insulin’s stimulatory action on glucose transport (reviewed in refs. 1 –4 ). Despite the successful use of this preparation in biochemical studies, the unique structure of the adipose cell, with its large central triglyceride storage droplet (80 μm) and thin (1–2 μm) rim of cytoplasm, has caused special problems for morphological approaches. Several methods have been used for studies of protein localization and trafficking by immunocytochemistry (ICC) at both light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) levels.