PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

W H Butler

Publications and source records attributed to W H Butler.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Ultrastructural studies on mitochondrial swelling.

Mitochondrial swelling induced by valinomycin, calcium chloride and P(i) was studied after potassium permanganate fixation in suspension. Valinomycin induces a rapid K(+) influx, increase of the matrix space and out-folding of the cristae, with good preservation of the matrix material. This swelling is reversible but the cristae do not completely re-form and have a blebbed appearance. On repeated swelling and contraction cycles there is a gradual loss of matrix material. Calcium chloride and P(i) produce a slow swelling of the matrix space. Shrinkage induced by ATP was partial and not associated with return to the original structure.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Preparation of isolated rat liver mitochondria for electron microscopy.

A comparative study of the fixation of isolated rat liver mitochondria was undertaken. If the criterion is adopted that after processing, the mitochondria should resemble as closely as possible rat liver mitochondria in situ, the procedure found to produce such preservation was that of fixation in suspension in veronal-buffered 2% potassium permanganate. Fixation in osmium tetroxide produced variable results, while mitochondria fixed in glutaraldehyde were contracted. We suggest that in cases where fixation procedures modify the morphological appearance of mitochondria, the significance of such changes must be treated with caution.

Aldehydes