[Detection of new two-membrane structures in native mitochondria by the method of small-angle scattering of neutrons]

Biofizika. 2006 Nov-Dec;51(6):1001-7.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

The structure of mitochondrial cristas has been studied for the first time by the method of small-angle scattering of thermal neutrons. Experiments were performed on intact functioning rat liver mitochondria. Mitochondrial cristas are usually considered as folds of the internal membrane with arbitrary nonfixed intermembrane distances. It was shown that, under particular conditions, during low-amplitude swelling of mitochondria, cristas are transformed to bimembrane structures, with the distance between the central planes of membranes of 190 E. It was found that the formation of bimembrane structures and their structural parameters do not depend on the method of induction of swelling, by placing the mitochondria into a hypotonic medium or by the opening of nonspecific pores.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Deuterium Oxide / chemistry
  • Mitochondria, Liver / ultrastructure*
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / ultrastructure*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Mitochondrial Swelling
  • Neutron Diffraction*
  • Rats
  • Scattering, Small Angle*

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Deuterium Oxide