[Hyperplasia and aggregation of mitochondrion in Pisum sativum leaf cells infected with BBWV 2]

The alteration of mitochondrion in Pisum sativum leaf cells infected with B935,isolates of BBWV 2, were investigated by electron microscopy, immunogold-labeling technique and stereologic quantity. The results showed that mitochondria were hyperplastic and aggregated nearby the membranous proliferation in cytoplasm. Many mitochondria were enlarged and distorted. There are some square paracrystalline inclusions within abnormal mitochondria. The difference between infected and healthy leaf cells at mitochondrion was observed to reveal significances in volume density (V(V)), surface density (S(V)), numerical density (Nv)(P < 0.01), but it was varied in form factor (PE), circumference index (CI), ratio of surface to volume (R(SV)). Some immunogold particles were localized to the crystal substance between the mitochondria. A high density of immunogold particles were localized to the crystalline aggregates and tubules composed of virus particles. This indicated that hyperplasia and aggregation of mitochondrion related to the assembly of virion in infection cells. BBWV 2 particles were assembled at the position of adherent mitochondria. The paracrystalline inclusions within mitochondria could represent the accumulation of a certain protein.