Characterization of the mitochondria of the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans

1. 1. Conditions are discussed for obtaining population levels of 200,000/ml in 6 days using axenic cultures of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Lifespan and growth data under these conditions are presented. 2. 2. An isolation procedure which results in high quality mitochondria is presented, and metabolic data on respiaration rates, respiratory control ratios, and ADP: O ratios using various substrates are given. 3. 3. The effects of inhibitors of respiration and ATPase activity and of uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation are presented. 4. 4. Cytochrome content of the mitochondria as determined from difference spectra is given. No indication of the large amounts of the b type pigment reported in Turbatrix aceti was found. 5. 5. The metabolism and respiratory chain of C. elegans appear to be similar to the classic mammalian systems. The only gross difference noted was the absence of ATPase stimulation by traditional uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. In this respect, the C. elegans mitochondria resemble more closely those of ascaris.