In vivo tissue-wide synchronization of mitochondrial metabolic oscillations

Cell Rep. 2014 Oct 23;9(2):514-21. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.09.022. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Abstract

Little is known about the spatiotemporal coordination of mitochondrial metabolism in multicellular organisms in situ. Using intravital microscopy in live animals, we report that mitochondrial metabolism undergoes rapid and periodic oscillations under basal conditions. Notably, mitochondria in vivo behave as a network of functionally coupled oscillators, which maintain a high level of coordination throughout the tissue via the activity of gap junctions. These findings reveal a unique aspect of the relationship between tissue architecture and self-organization of mitochondrial metabolism in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Acinar Cells / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley