Density Gradient Centrifugation of Liver Mitochondria from Normal and Thyrotoxic Rats

Abstract

Mitochondria isolated from livers of euthyroid rats are distributed in a single band on centrifugation through a linear density gradient of 37-52% sucrose. Mitochondria swollen by preincubation at 37 C or isolated from Uvers of severely thyrotoxic rats are distributed either in 2 bands or in a single band of increased sucrose density. The results suggest that mitochondria isolated from the same sample of rat liver differ in their responses to conditions producing swelling.