STATIC CYTOFLUOROMETRY AND FLUORESCENCE MORPHOLOGY OF MITOCHONDRIA AND DNA IN PROLIFERATING FIBROBLASTS

The shape, distribution, and content of mitochondria in individual cel ls were examined during the cell cycle phases (G(0)/G(1), S, G(2) mito sis) in living human fibroblasts by static cytofluorometry and fluores cence microscopy, The morphocytochemical evaluations were performed in cell cultures submitted to double supravital fluorochrome staining wi th Hoechst 33342 and DiOC(6) to label DNA and mitochondria, respective ly. The staining modalities were based on the stability of mitochondri al labeling, The G(1) to early S phases were characterized by the pres ence of filamentous mitochondria, except during the early postmitotic period. During late S, G(2), and mitotic phases, mitochondrial mass re ached its highest value and mitochondria became short and numerous, Du ring the last stage of mitosis, mitochondria were distributed among da ughter cells through a cytoplasmic bridge.