Substructure of inner mitochondrial membranes of myocardial cells as shown by cryo-ultramicrotomy.
The substructure of the inner mitochondrial membranes has been studied by cryo-ultramicrotomy under conditions during which denaturation of proteins by treatment with chemical solutes has been totally avoided. In such preparations, the inner membrane has a substructure consisting of globular subunits. These subunits have an average diameter of ca. 20 A-ca. 62 A and are fairly regularly spaced. Intracristal space is absent in the unstained, freeze-dried preparations, whereas a space of ca 40 A is seen in preparations lightly treated by OsO4-vapour. It is concluded that the subunits of the inner mitochondrial membranes probably consist either of single protein molecules or of complexes of protein molecules.
D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008566:Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008867:Microtomy; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011489:Protein Denaturation