Changes in the morphology of rat liver mitochondria brought about by different methods of isolation and the concomitant changes in ATP-ase activity were studied. The morphology was investigated with the electron microscope. It was found that the ATP-ase activity of the isolated mitochondria cannot be readily correlated with the morphology of the mitochondria. The ATP-ase found in these preparations was latent, resembling the enzyme described in mitochondria prepared in 0.25 M sucrose. In confirmation of earlier results the use of 0.88 M sucrose yielded preparations with a higher initial ATP-ase than did other methods. Preparation in 0.25 M sucrose resulted in round, swollen mitochondria of which 30 to 40 per cent appeared to have lost a substantial part of the mitochondrial matrix. Preparations in 0.44 to 0.88 M sucrose contained mainly rod-shaped mitochondria plus a small amount of another type of swollen mitochondria. The matrix of mitochondria isolated in 0.88 M sucrose was highly condensed. By the use of 0.44 M sucrose adjusted to pH 6.2 with citric acid, it was possible to isolate, for the first time, mitochondria closely resembling those in situ and containing latent ATP-ase.
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25 March 1955
Content prior to 1962 was published under the journal name
The Journal of Biophysical and Biochemical Cytology
Article|
March 25 1955
MORPHOLOGY AND ATP-ASE OF ISOLATED MITOCHONDRIA
Robert F. Witter,
Robert F. Witter
(From the Departments of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York)
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Michael L. Watson,
Michael L. Watson
(From the Departments of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York)
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Mary A. Cottone
Mary A. Cottone
(From the Departments of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York)
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Robert F. Witter
(From the Departments of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York)
Michael L. Watson
(From the Departments of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York)
Mary A. Cottone
(From the Departments of Biochemistry and Radiation Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York)
Received:
October 29 1954
Copyright, 1955, by The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research
1955
J Biophys and Biochem Cytol (1955) 1 (2): 127–138.
Article history
Received:
October 29 1954
Citation
Robert F. Witter, Michael L. Watson, Mary A. Cottone; MORPHOLOGY AND ATP-ASE OF ISOLATED MITOCHONDRIA . J Biophys and Biochem Cytol 25 March 1955; 1 (2): 127–138. doi: https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.1.2.127
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