Preparation of coupled mitochondria and microsomes from liver biopsy samples of African green monkeys

A differential centrifugation method is described for isolating mitochondria and microsomes from monkey liver biopsy samples (approximately 30 mg wet weight). Comparison of the biopsy sample preparation with organelles isolated from 10 g of the same liver revealed that the small-scale procedure yields mitochondria of comparable purity, and microsomes slightly more contaminated with mitochondria. The mitochondria retained respiratory control and demonstrated succinate oxidase activity at a level of 65% that of the large-scale preparations. The specific activity for NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in biopsy sample microsomes was equivalent to that of organelles isolated from liver sections.