Human myocardial mitochondria: size differences in parts of the cell

Mitochondrial dynamics

Mitochondrial dynamics is a key feature for the interaction of mitochondria with other organelles within a cell and also for the maintenance of their own integrity. Four types of mitochondrial dynamics are discussed: Movement within a cell and interactions with the cytoskeleton, fusion and fission events which establish coherence within the chondriome, the dynamic behavior of cristae and their components, and finally, formation and disintegration of mitochondria (mitophagy). Due to these essential functions, disturbed mitochondrial dynamics are inevitably connected to a variety of diseases. Localized ATP gradients, local control of calcium-based messaging, production of reactive oxygen species, and involvement of other metabolic chains, that is, lipid and steroid synthesis, underline that physiology not only results from biochemical reactions but, in addition, resides on the appropriate morphology and topography. These events and their molecular basis have been established recently and are the topic of this review.

An ultrastructural study of the hypertrophied human papillary muscle cell with special emphasis on specific staining patterns, mitochondrial projections and association between mitochondria and SR

Biopsy material of the hypertrophied human papillary muscle has been processed according to various electron microscopical techniques in order to study the mitochondrial ultrastructure and the association between mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). En bloc staining with a Cu-Pb citrate solution resulted in specifically contrasted mitochondrial and sarcotubular membranes, characterized by numerous, discrete, electron-dense particles. The differences in staining patterns between the perinuclear mitochondria and their subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar counterparts suggest differences in chemical properties and/or metabolic activities. The selectively contrasted mitochondrial particles may represent a conglomerate of extrinsic and intrinsic respiratory enzymes and other membrane-associated proteins, while the majority of the electron-dense particles of the sarcotubular membrane may represent positively stained Ca2+-pumps. Ultrastructural findings in the present study strongly indicate that the slender mitochondrial projections represent an initial stage in a process leading to the formation of large and pleomorphic mitochondria. Intimate contact between adjacent mitochondria as well as between mitochondria and SR are documented. In the contact regions some of the specifically contrasted particles of the adjacent membranes had fused with each other. It is suggested that these particles represent membrane-bound transport proteins providing a system for inter-organelle exchange of metabolites and/or ions.

Evolution of a hereditary cardiac conduction and muscle disorder: a study involving a family with six generations affected

This study describes six generations of a family with autosomal dominant cardiac conduction system and myocardial disease with recognizable clinical stages. A 20 year follow-up of nine family members, a medical questionnaire of 196, electrocardiographic screening of 91, noninvasive testing of 20, and catheterization with endomyocardial biopsy of six are the basis of this report. The clinical stages are as follows: Stage I occurs in the second and third decades of life and is characterized by an absence of symptoms, normal heart size, sinus bradycardia, and premature atrial contractions. Stage II is marked by first-degree atrioventricular block in the third and fourth decades. Stage III occurs in the fourth and fifth decades and is accompanied by chest pain, fatigue, lightheadedness, and advanced atrioventricular block followed by the development of atrial fibrillation or flutter. Stage IV, in the fifth and sixth decades of life, is characterized by congestive heart failure and recurrent ventricular arrhythmias. Light microscopy of right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimens from patients in stage II revealed very mild fibrosis; electron microscopy of the specimens demonstrated mild dilatation of tubules, mitochondrial swelling, and minimal myofibrillar loss. Biopsy specimens from patients with stage III disease were similar to those from patients with stage II disease except for an increase of myofibrillar loss. The stage IV specimens had diffuse fibrosis and more severe tubular dilatation, mitochondrial cristolysis, and myofibrillar loss. At autopsy in the proband, the atrial changes were more severe than the ventricular and were especially marked in the sinoatrial and atrial myocardium. Early recognition of the disease and use of pacemakers and antiarrhythmic agents have proved beneficial for affected family members. Thorough family studies of patients with conduction system disease and/or dilated cardiomyopathy are necessary to better understand the hereditary basis and natural course of this category of disease.