Skip to main content
Log in

The occurrence of intramitochondrial granules in nerve cells

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The mitochondria of spinal cord motoneurons of normal rats have been studied and compared with those of animals given 2.5 mg/kg of strychnine sulfate. The mitochondria in the motoneurons of the treated animals exhibited opaque granules in the matrix. Such granules were observed only when calcium chloride was present in the fixing media and were not present in any other component of the nervous tissue of the spinal cord. Granules were not seen in the mitochondria of motoneurons of untreated control animals. The possible function of these granules in nerve cell metabolism is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bodian, D., and N. Taylor: Synapse arising at central node of Ranvier, and note on fixation of the central nervous system. Science 139, 330–332 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Erstster, L.: Control of central metabolism at the mitochondrial level. Fed. Proc. 24, 1222–1235 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenawalt, J., J. C. Rossi, and A. Leninger: Effect of active accumulation of calcium and phosphorus ions on the structure of rat liver mitochondria. J. Cell Biol. 23, 21–38 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, S.: Structural changes in the mitochondria and microvilli of the gastric parietal cell during digestive activity. Abstract 2nd Annual Meeting Am. Soc. Cell Biol. 78 (1962).

  • Palay, S., S. M. McGee-Russell, S. Gordon, and M. Grillo: Fixation of neural tissues for electron microscopy by perfusion with solutions of osmium tetroxide. J. Cell Biol. 12, 385–410 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Peachey, L.: Electron microscopic observations on the accumulation of divalent cations in intramitochondrial granules. J. Cell Biol. 20, 95–109 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and R. Greif: Alterations of mitochondrial structure induced by thyroid hormones “in vivo” and “in vitro”. Endocrinology 77, 61–77 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E.: Liver parenchymal cell injury. III The nature of calcium associated electron opaque masses in rat liver mitochondria following poisoning with carbon tetrachloride. J. Cell Biol. 25, 53–75 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rouillier, C.: Physiological and pathological changes in mitochondrial morphology. Int. Rev. Cytol. 9, 227–292 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schjeide, O., R. McCandless, M. Wilkins, M. Peterson, and G. Alexander: Effects of various factors on the occurrence of mitochondrial inclusions. Exp. Cell Res. 32, 379–390 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, H., and H. Zetterquist: An electron microscopic study of cortical epithelium in the vitamin A deficient mouse. Bull. Johns Hopk. Hosp. 98, 372–408 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, J.: Mitochondrial changes induced by potassium and sodium in the duodenal absorptive cell as studied with the electron microscope. J. exp. Med. 102, 783–788 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yates, J., and R. Yates: Some morphological effects of strychnine on the spinal cord: A light and electron microscopic study. Anat. Rec. 150, 279–291 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and R. Yates: An electron microscopic study of the effects of tetanus toxin on motoneurons of the rat spinal cord. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16, 382–394 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zacks, S., and M. Sheff: Studies on tetanus toxin. I. Formation of intramitochondrial dense granules in mice acutely treated with tetanus toxin. J. Neuropath, exp. Path. 23, 306–323 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Research supported by USPHS Grant NB 05665, 00690 and AM 08222.

Recipient of Career Research Development Award 1-K3-GM 28064.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yates, R.D., Yates, J.C. The occurrence of intramitochondrial granules in nerve cells. Z.Zellforsch 92, 388–393 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455595

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455595

Keywords

Navigation