Electron microscopic tomography of rat‐liver mitochondria and their interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mannella, Carmen A. | Buttle, Karolyn | Rath, Bimal K. | Marko, M.

Affiliations: Biological Microscopy and Image Reconstruction Resource, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Box 509, Albany, NY 12201‐0509, USA, and Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany (SUNY), USA

Abstract: Electron microscopic tomography can provide a complete three‐dimensional range of information about subcellular structures. Applied to mitochondria, it has shown that the conventional textbook model of this organelle is incorrect. The infoldings of the inner membrane (called cristae) are connected by narrow tubular regions to each other and to the outside, suggesting that internal diffusion of ions, metabolites and proteins may be restricted. Tomographic reconstruction of mitochondria in situ indicates these organelles may occur in clusters with stacks of endoplasmic reticulum, forming extended structures that may be involved in [Ca^{++}] regulation.

Journal: Biofactors, vol. 8, no. 3-4, pp. 225-228, 1998