Association of mitochondria with microtubules in cultured cells.

Abstract

By indirect immunofluorescence techniques, microtubules and mitochondria were localized in normal rat kidney cells, human W138 (embryo lung) fibroblasts, mouse peritoneal macrophages and a putative smooth muscle rat cell line in monolayer culture. The mitochondria were arranged along the cytoplasmic microtubules in each cell type. Disruption of the microtubules with colcemid caused a redistribution of the mitochondria in these cells. There was no correlation between the location of the mitochondria and actin-containing filaments. Mitochondria are apparently directly or indirectly associated with microtubules in these cells.