Mitochondrial motility and vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Mitochondria are widely described as being highly dynamic and adaptable organelles, and their movement is thought to be vital for cell function. Yet, in various native cells, including those of heart and smooth muscle, mitochondria are stationary and rigidly structured. The significance of the differences in mitochondrial behavior to the physiological function of cells is unclear and was studied in single myocytes and intact resistance-sized cerebral arteries. We hypothesized that mitochondrial dynamics is controlled by the proliferative status of the cells.

Methods and results

High-speed fluorescence imaging of mitochondria in live vascular smooth muscle cells shows that the organelle undergoes significant reorganization as cells become proliferative. In nonprolif

SUBMITTER: Chalmers S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3939657 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature