Relationships between mitochondrial outer membranes and agranular reticulum in nervous tissue: ultrastructural observations and a new interpretation

Abstract

This study is concerned with extensions of the outer membranes of mitochondria in cells of nervous tissue, and with possible relationships between the extensions and the agranular reticulum. A variety of preparative techniques was applied to a large number of different central nervous tissues (CNS) and peripheral nervous tissues (PNS), using conventional thin sections, thicker sections (100 nm or more) and 3-dimensional reconstructions of serial thin sections. Extensions were commonly observed, particularly from the ends of longitudinally oriented mitochondria in axons and dendrites. Often these had the appearance of, and could be traced into apparent continuity with, adjacent elements of the agranular membrane. In addition to these apical tubular extensions, we also observed and reconstructed short lateral tubular or sac-like extensions and vesicular protrusions of the outer mitochondrial membrane. We discuss and discount the possibility that the extensions are artefacts, consider the structural and biochemical similarities between the outer mitochondrial membrane and agranular reticulum and propose that the outer mitochondrial is part of the agranular reticulum (or a specialized portion of the agranular reticulum). We suggest that the translocation of mitochondria in nerve cells, and probably in other cells as well, involves movement of the inner mitochondrial membrane and the enclosed matrix (mitoplast) within channels of agranular reticulum in continuity, or in transient continuity, with the outer mitochondrial membrane.