Mitochondria of Human Adrenal Cortex Have Tubular Cristae with Bulbous Tips

Alessandro Riva, Felice Loffredo, Alessandro Uccheddu, Francesca Testa Riva and Bernard Tandler

Departments of Cytomorphology (A.R., F.L., F.T.R.) and Surgery (A.U.), University of Cagliari, Italy; and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (B.T.), Cleveland, Ohio

Address correspondence to: Alessandro Riva, M.D., Professor of Human Anatomy, Department of Cytomorphology, Cittadella Universitaria, I-09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy. Fax: +39 070 6754003, e-mail: riva{at}unica.it

Abstract

By taking advantage of a modified osmium maceration technique, we have been able to examine by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) the interior of human adrenocortical mitochondria from which all soluble material has been extracted. The so-called vesicles apparent in thin sections examined by transmission electron microscopy actually are finger-like cristae as determined by HRSEM. These digitiform cristae have a segmented appearance and a bulbous tip. The segmented form of the cristae may have important metabolic implications.







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