Circadian alterations in tubular structures on the outer mitochondrial membrane of rat hepatocytes

Subcellular structures of hepatocytes were examined at 11.00 h and 23.00 h (light cycle: 06.00 h-18.00 h) in four adult male Wistar rats (AF/Han) per time period. 1. The volume density of mitochondria in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes obtained from peripheral parts of liver lobules shows a statistically significant difference between the two time periods examined. 2. Tubular structures arising from the outer mitochondrial membrane are clearly demonstrated. Their cisternae are continuous with the interspaces between outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. 3. These tubular structures often open directly into the cisternae of rough or smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (rER and sER) and form a "bridge" between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. 4. At 11.00 h, the rER connected with the tubular structures often possesses very few ribosomes; at 23.00 h, the amount of ribosomes on the rER is substantially greater. Furthermore, at 23.00 h ribosomes are also occasionally found on the membranes of the tubular structures. 5. The incidence of tubular structures on the outer membrane of mitochondria varies significantly between the two time periods. 6. The changing pattern of the volume density of mitochondria in the cytoplasm parallels that of the incidence of the tubular structures, i.e., both are high during the active phase and low during the resting phase of the rat. 7. These results suggest that the tubular structures may play an important role in protein transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and in the rearrangement of rER during a 24-h period.