Giant mitochondria in a cardiomyopathic heart.
Giant mitochondria (megamitochondria) measuring up to 14 microm in length and 3 microm in width are sporadically present in an exclusively interfibrillar position in the cardiomyocytes of a patient with restrictive cardiomyopathy. The number of cristae is augmented in the megamitochondria; these internal membranes are for the most part irregularly arrayed, but in certain giant mitochondria they run a parallel, zigzag course imparting a paracrystalline appearance to such organelles. Many of the giant mitochondria have one or several lucent, single membrane-bound inclusions that contain either alpha- or beta-glycogen particles. Megamitochondria probably originate at least in part by fusion of adjacent organelles.
Tandler
Bernard
B
Geriatric Research and Educational Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. USA.
Dunlap
Mark
M
Hoppel
Charles L
CL
Hassan
Medhat
M
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000648:ultrastructure*