Mechanism of the formation of megamitochondria by copper-chelating agents. IV. Role of fusion phenomenon in the cuprizone-induced megamitochondrial formation.

Megamitochondria were induced within 36-40 hours in mouse hepatocytes by injecting cuprizone into the peritoneal cavity. Induction of megamitochondria was dependent upon the amount and the time intervals of the injection of cuprizone: 200 mg of cuprizone/kg of body weight-injected every 12 hours or 400 mg of cuprizone/kg of body weight-injected every 24 hours. When the latter amount of the noxious reagent was administered to the animal every 12 hours, fatty changes of the liver was observed. Involvement of the fusion phenomenon in the mechanism of megamitochondrial formation is discussed in the light of turnover rates for various components of the mitochondrion.