Summary
Mitochondria from different organs of the rat with configurations ultrastructurally resembling those of isolated mitochondria of known respiratory states have been subjected to Stereologic analysis. Mitochondria were examined from mossy fibers of the granular layer of the cerebellar cortex (condensed state), of the pericentral hepatocytes (orthodox state), and of heart muscle and parietal cells of the gastric fundus (transitional state). In order to study the relationship between mitochondrial compartments and the internal membrane a “partition coefficient” was introduced, which expresses the volume of the matrix (Emm) and external compartment (Eocm) respectively per unit surface area of internal mitochondrial membrane. The Stereologic parameters investigated, i.e. surface density of the mitochondrial membranes, volume density of the mitochondrial compartments and membranes, and partition coefficients generally agreed with the visual evaluation of mitochondrial ultrastructure. However, analysis of the coefficient of variation δ/x × 100% for Eocm and Emm has shown significantly greater variability in the mitochondria of the myocardium than in the gastric mitochondria, despite similar ultrastructure. It is suggested that Stereologic methods, like time-lapse cinematography, give a compound picture of configurational variation and of its plasticity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baudhin, P., Berthet, J.: Electron microscopic examination of subcellular fractions. II. Quantitative analysis of the mitochondrial population isolated from rat liver. J. Cell Biol. 35, 631–648 (1967)
Buffa, P., Guarriera-Bobyleva, V., Muscatello, U., Pasquali-Ronchetti, I.: Conformational changes of mitochondria associated with uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro. Nature 226, 171–283 (1970)
Buffa, P., Pasquali-Ronchetti, I., Barasa, A.: Biochemical lesion of respiratory enzymes and configurational changes of mitochondria in vivo. II. Early ultrastructural modification correlated to the biochemical lesion induced by fluoroacetate. Cell Tissue Res. 183, 1–33 (1977)
Chance, B., Williams, G.R.: Respiratory enzymes in the oxidative phosphorylation. III. The steady state. J. Biol. Chem. 217, 409–416 (1955)
Cieciura, L., Klitończyk, W., Rydzyński, K., Harazna, J.: Study on the mitochondrial polymorphism in the cell. Acta Med. Pol. 18, 295–296 (1977a)
Cieciura, L., Klitończyk, W., Rydzyński, K., Harazna, J.: Studies on metabolic steady states of mitochondria in selected organs of the rat. Acta Med. Pol. 18, 297–298 (1977b)
Dalton, A.J.: A chrome-osmium fixation for electron microscopy. Anat. Rec. 121, 281–292 (1955)
David, H.: Quantitative morphology of mitochondria. Biol. Zbl. 94, 129–153 (1975)
Green, D.E., Asai, J., Harris, R.A., Penniston, J.T.: Conformational basis of energy transformations in membrane systems. III. Configurational changes in the mitochondrial inner membrane induced by changes in functional states. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 125, 684–698 (1968)
Hackenbrock, C.R.: Ultrastructural bases for metabolically linked mechanical activity in mitochondria. I. Reversible ultrastructural changes with change in metabolic steady state in isolated liver mitochondria. J. Cell Biol. 30, 269–297 (1966)
Hackenbrock, C.R.: Ultrastructural bases for metabolically linked mechanical activity in mitochondria. II. Electron transport-linked ultrastructural transformations in mitochondria. J. Cell Biol. 37, 345–357 (1968a)
Hackenbrock, C.R.: Chemical and physical fixation of isolated mitochondria in low-energy and highenergy states. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 61, 598–610 (1968b)
Hackenbrock, C.R., Rehn, T.: Transformation in ultrastructural and energy state of mitochondria in the intact ascites tumor cell. (Abstr.) Fed. Proc. 29, 734 (1970)
Hackenbrock, C.R., Rehn, T.G., Weinbach, E.C., Lemasters, J.J.: Oxidative phosphorylation and ultrastructural transformation in mitochondria in intact ascites tumor cell. J. Cell Biol. 51, 123–137 (1971)
Herbener, C.H., Swigart, R.H., Leng, C.A.: Morphometric comparison of normal and hypertrophie hearts. Lab. Invest. 28, 96–109 (1973)
Karnovsky, M.J.: A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolarity for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 27, 137–151 (1963)
King, M.E., Godman, G.C., King, D.W.: Respiratory enzymes and mitochondrial morphology of Hela and L cells treated with chloramphenicol and ethidium bromide. J. Cell Biol. 53, 127–135 (1972)
Kistler, A., Weber, R.: A morphometric analysis of inner membranes related to biochemical characteristics of mitochondria from heart muscle and liver in mice. Exp. Cell Res. 91, 326–392 (1975)
Laiho, K.V., Trump, B.F.: Studies on the pathogenesis of cell injury. Effects of inhibitors of metabolism and membrane function on the mitochondria of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Lab. Invest. 32, 163–182 (1975)
Lehninger, A.L.: The mitochondrion. Molecular basis of structure and function. New York: W.A. Benjamin, Inc. 1965
Lehninger, A.L.: The molecular organization of mitochondrial membranes. Advances in Cytopharmacology, Vol. 1: First International Symposium on Cell Biology and Cytopharmacology. New York: Raven Press 1971
Loud, A.V.: A quantitative stereological description of the ultrastructure of normal rat liver parenchymal cells. J. Cell Biol. 37, 27–46 (1968)
Moody, D.E., Reddy, J.K.: Morphometric analysis of the ultrastructural changes in rat liver induced by the peroxisome proliferator SaH 42-348. J. Cell Biol. 71, 768–780 (1976)
Reith, A.: The influence of triiodothyronine and riboflavin deficiency on the rat liver with special reference to mitochondria. A morphologic, morphometric and cytochemical study by electron microscopy. Lab. Invest. 29, 216–228 (1973)
Reith, A., Fuchs, S.: The heart muscle of the rat under influence of triiodothyronine and riboflavin deficiency with special reference to mitochondria. A morphologic and morphometric study by electron microscopy. Lab. Invest. 29, 229–235 (1973)
Smith, H.E., Page, E.: Morphometry of rat heart mitochondrial subcompartments and membranes. Application to myocardial cell atrophy after hypophysectomy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 55, 31–42 (1976)
Weibel, E.R., Kistler, C.S., Scherle, W.F.: Practical stereological methods for morphometric cytology. J. Cell Biol. 30, 23–41 (1966)
Weibel, E.R., Stäubli, W., Gnägi, H.R., Hess, F.A.: Correlated morphometric and biochemical studies on the liver cell. I. Morphometric model, stereological methods, and normal morphometric data for rat liver. J. Cell Biol. 42, 68–91 (1969)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cieciura, L., Rydzyński, K. & Klitończyk, W. Stereologic studies on mitochondrial configuration in different organs of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 196, 347–360 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00240107
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00240107