On the Cross-Section Structure of the Mitochondrial Cristae-Membrane as Revealed by X-Ray Diffraction

Mitochondria were isolated using sorbitol and high buffer concentration in the medium. X-ray diffraction patterns arising from the mitochondrial cristae-membrane were recorded in the fully dried state and in two different states in humidity. The Q-function evaluation of these X-ray diffraction diagrams resulted in electron density cross-section profiles, which consist of two main peaks of opposite sign and one, respectively two, smaller peaks. The total thickness of the membrane amounts to 120 A in the dry and 140 A to 160 A in the wet state. An interpretation of the cross-section profile is tentatively proposed.