Arrest of mitochondrial biogenesis in copper-treated sycamore cells

Sycamore suspension cells (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) were grown in the presence of sublethal concentrations of copper (50 microM). During the first 5-6 days of treatment, growth was not affected, but cell respiration (coupled and uncoupled) declined to approximately 60% of its normal value. This decline of respiration was attributed to a progressive diminution of the number of mitochondria in copper-treated cells, based on the demonstration of the concomitant decline of (1) cardiolipin (diphosphatidylglycerol) and cytochrome aa3 (cytochrome oxidase), two specific markers of mitochondrial inner membrane, and (2) fumarase activity, a specific marker of mitochondrial matrix space. In addition, the mitochondria extracted from copper-treated cells presented the same properties as those from control cells, concerning substrate oxidation, cardiolipin and cytochrome aa3 contents, and fumarase activity. These results strongly suggest that copper triggered an arrest of mitochondrial biogenesis, which preceded cell division arrest.