Fusion of mitochondrial inner membranes by electric fields produces inside-out vesicles. Visualization by freeze-fracture electron microscopy.
The fusion of vesicular-shaped mitochondrial inner membranes was observed by a new approach which combines freeze-fracture electron microscopy and electric field-induced fusion. Results show that membrane events caused by the exposure to the electric field can be time-coordinated with sample freezing for subsequent analysis by freeze-fracture electron microscopy.
D000818:Animals; D002459:Cell Fusion; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure*