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Existence of giant mitochondria-containing sheet structures lacking cristae and matrix in the etiolated cotyledon of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Existence of giant mitochondria-containing sheet structures lacking cristae and matrix in the etiolated cotyledon of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Authors :
Fukushima, Saki
Akita, Kae
Takagi, Tomoko
Kobayashi, Keiko
Moritoki, Nobuko
Sugaya, Hajime
Arimura, Shin-ichi
Kuroiwa, Haruko
Kuroiwa, Tsuneyoshi
Nagata, Noriko
Source :
Protoplasma; May2022, Vol. 259 Issue 3, p731-742, 12p
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Mitochondria are essential organelles involved in the production and supply of energy in eukaryotic cells. Recently, the use of serial section scanning electron microscopy (S<superscript>3</superscript>EM) has allowed accurate three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images of even complex organelle structures. Using this method, ultrathin sections of etiolated cotyledons were observed 4 days after germination of Arabidopsis thaliana in the dark, and giant mitochondria were found. To exclude the possibility of chemical fixation artifacts, this study confirmed the presence of giant mitochondria in high-pressure frozen samples. The 3D reconstructed giant mitochondria had a complex structure that included not only the elongated region but also the flattened shape of a disk. It contained the characteristic sheet structure, and the sheet lacked cristae and matrix but consisted of outer and inner membranes. Whether this phenomenon could be observed in living cells was investigated using the transformant with mitochondrial matrix expressing green fluorescent protein. Small globular mitochondria observed in light-treated samples were also represented in etiolated cotyledons. Although no giant mitochondria were observed in light-treated samples, they were found in the dark 3 days after germination and rapidly increased in number on the fourth day. Therefore, giant mitochondria were observed only in dark samples. These findings were supported by electron microscopy results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0033183X
Volume :
259
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Protoplasma
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
156317195
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-021-01696-0