Structure of Mitochondria and Activity of Their Respiratory Chain in Successive Generations of Yeast Cells Exposed to He-Ne Laser Light

Abstract

The data on the effect of He-Ne laser light (lambda = 632.8 nm) on mitochondria of yeasts in late log phase were reviewed. The qualitative analysis of the ultrathin sections of cells demonstrated a nonuniform thickness of the giant branched mitochondria typical for budding yeasts. Exposure to a dose of 460 J/m@2 accelerated cell proliferation, activated respiratory chain enzymes (cytochrome c oxidase and NADH dehydrogenase), and also changed the microstructure of the giant mitochondria--much of the narrow regions of the mitochondrial tube with sections < or = 0.06 microm2 were dilated (while no signs of organelle damage were observed). Relative surface area of the cristae increased in such mitochondria, which can be due to the activation of their respiration and ATP synthesis. The number of associations between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum increased in cells in early log phase, which reflects high capacity of mitochondria to absorb Ca2+. Altered giant mitochondria configuration can increase the efficiency of both energy transfer and Ca2+ distribution in the cytoplasm.