The conformational basis of energy conservation in membrane systems. II. Correlation between conformational change and functional states.

Abstract

In a previous communication by Penniston et al.' in these PROCEEDINGS, the multiple configurational states of the inner membrane of the mitochondrion were shown to be determined both by the conformation of the repeating units (nonenergized, energized, or energized-twisted) and also by the mode of the cristae (orthodox, aggregated, or comminuted).The conformational changes in the repeating units were constant and independent of the mode of the cristae, but the electron microscopic expression of these conformational changes at the membrane level was profoundly affected by the mode of the cristae.Table 1 summarizes TABLE 1. Configurational states of the inner mitochondrial membrane.Postulated functional status of repeating Mode of Organization of the Cristae unit Orthodoxl-Aggregated----Comminuted-Nonenergized (NE) Classical NEor Sheetlike NEagg Energized (E) Vesicular Eor Energized Eagg Swollen Ecomm Energized-twisted (ET) Zigzag ETor ZigzagETagg Snakelike ET0,,,, * The orthodox mode is found in mitochondria in situ, the aggregated and comminuted modes in isolated mitochondria.