MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF MITOCHONDRIAL NUCLEAR DIVISION AND MITOCHONDRIOKINESIS

Our present understanding of mitochondrial division can be summarized as follows: Mitochondria contain a specific genome, synthesize their own DNA, and multiply semi-autonomously. Strands of mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) in the in vivo organelles of all eukaryotes are organized to form mitochondrial nuclei (nucleoids) (mt-nuclei) with specific proteins including a histone-like protein and transcription factors at the central region of the mitochondrion. We can easily observe the mt-nucleus in vivo mitochondria in various organisms such as fungi, algae, plants, and animals by using high-resolution epifluorescence microscopy. Therefore, the process of mitochondrial division can be clearly separated into two main events: division of the mt-nuclei and mitochondriokinesis analogous to cytokinesis. Mitochondria undergo binary division which is accompanied by the division of the mt-nucleus. A remarkable characteristic of mitochondrial multiplication during the mitochondrial life cycle is that mitochondria can multiply the mt-chromosome by endoduplication until 50-100 copies are present. Mitochondria can then divide without mitochondrial DNA synthesis to eventually contain 1-5 copies of the mt-chromosome. This characteristic phenomenon can be observed during cell differentiation, such as during the formation of plasmodia and sclerotia of Physarum polycephalum and during embryogenesis and the formation of meristematic tissues in plants. The mitochondrial chromosome has a mitochondrial ''kinetochore (centromere)'' which is A-T rich and contains specific sequences such as topoisomerase binding sites, tandem repeats, and inverted repeats. A bridge of proteins may exist between the kinetochore DNA and membrane systems. Mitochondrial chromosomes can divide according to the growth of a membrane system between the kinetochores. Mitochondriokinesis progresses steadily along with mitochondrial nuclear division. As the membrane at the equatorial region of a mitochondrion contracts, the neck of the cleavage furrow narrows, and eventually the daughter mitochondria are separated. An actin-like protein may power mitochondriokinesis by separating the daughter mitochondria. In general, mitochondriokinesis occurs by contraction rather than by partition of the inner membrane. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.