A method for isolation of mitochondria from 25-100 mg skeletal muscle
is described. The instrumental developments include a refined homogeni
zation setup, special handling techniques, and equipment for biopsy st
orage. The preparation medium was a standard ionic medium. All fractio
ns were assayed for marker enzymes and the data used in optimization o
f the yield. It was observed that the homogenization procedure excerts
strong control on the integrity of the isolated mitochondria. The met
hod was developed with pigeon breast muscle as the model tissue and us
ed virtually unaltered for preparation from muscles of pigs, rats, and
humans. The relative yield was 40-50% and the mitochondria were well
coupled and showed high rates of phosphorylating respiration. (C) 1997
Academic Press.