[Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of electron-transport enzymes in mitochondrial myopathy]

Ultrastructural localization of mitochondrial electron transport enzymes in biopsied muscle from a patient with mitochondrial myopathy was studied. We applied the immunoelectron microscopic technique using colloidal-gold labeled antibodies. The results demonstrated a very distinct and dense labeling by gold particles of complexes I, III, and IV in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The density of gold particles reacted to complex IV was cleanly decreased. This result was correlated with the decreased biochemical activity of complex IV. Labeling on the paracrystalline inclusions was substantially decreased in abnormal giant mitochondrial, but gold particles were extensively confined on the membrane of cristae surrounding the inclusions.