Home FOR AUTHORS General Physiology and Biophysics 2016 General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.35, No.3, p.273–286, 2016

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Quarterly, 80 pp. per issue
Founded: 1982
ISSN  1338-4325 (online)

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General Physiology and Biophysics Vol.35, No.3, p.273–286, 2016

Title: Ultrastructure of mitochondrial nucleoid and its surroundings
Author: Jarmil Prachař

Abstract: Mitochondrial nucleoids (hereafter nucleoids) contain genetic information, mitochondrial DNA, prerequisite for mitochondrial functioning, particularly information required for mitochondrial electron transport. To understand nucleoid functioning, it is imperative to know its ultrastructure and dynamics in the context of the actual mitochondrial state. In this study, we document the internal structure, different positions of nucleoids inside the mitochondrial tube and their different morphology. The nucleoid cores appear in section as circular or slightly oval objects ranging from 50 to 100 nm in diameter. They are mainly located in the matrix between cristae inside the mitochondrial tube but they are also frequently found close to the inner mitochondrial surface. In tightly packed form, their interior exhibits sophisticated nucleoprotein regularity. The core surroundings form an electron-lucent thick layer which is probably partitioned into separate chambers. We suggest that the morphology of nucleoids mirrors the mode of energy production, glycolysis versus oxidative phosphorylation. The new high resolution transmission electron microscopy method enabled us to obtain morphological characteristics on yet unpublished level.

Keywords: Mitochondrial nucleoid — Electron-dense core — Electron-lucent envelope — High resolution transmission electron microscopy
Published online: 13-Jun-2016
Year: 2016, Volume: 35, Issue: 3 Page From: 273, Page To: 286
doi:10.4149/gpb_2016008


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