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Purification of Mitochondria from Yeast Cells
10:39

Purification of Mitochondria from Yeast Cells

Published on: August 24, 2009

Fibrous component of yeast mitochondria

Y Yotsuyanagi1

  • 1Centre de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.

Journal of Ultrastructure and Molecular Structure Research
|March 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

An intramitochondrial fibrous component (IMF) was found in all yeast strains. This structure, 20 nm thick, forms inclusion bodies in deficient mutants and composite structures with cristae in normal yeasts, originating externally.

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial biology
  • Yeast genetics
  • Cellular ultrastructure

Background:

  • Mitochondria are crucial organelles for cellular respiration.
  • Yeast models are widely used to study mitochondrial function.
  • The internal structure of yeast mitochondria is not fully characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and structure of a novel intramitochondrial fibrous component (IMF).
  • To determine the association of IMF with mitochondrial cristae and its role in different yeast strains.
  • To elucidate the origin of IMF.

Main Methods:

  • Electron microscopy was used to examine yeast mitochondrial ultrastructure.
  • Eight strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. uvarum were analyzed.
  • Comparative analysis was performed between respiratory-competent and deficient mutants.

Main Results:

  • A consistent 20 nm thick intramitochondrial fibrous component (IMF) was detected in all yeast strains.
  • Respiratory-deficient mutants displayed concentric IMF layers forming inclusion bodies.
  • Respiratory-competent yeasts showed IMF associated with cristae in composite structures.
  • Evidence indicated an extramitochondrial origin for IMF.

Conclusions:

  • IMF is a conserved mitochondrial component in yeast with distinct structural roles.
  • IMF assembly and association with cristae differ between respiratory-competent and deficient states.
  • The extramitochondrial origin suggests IMF is imported into the mitochondrion.

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