GIANT MITOCHONDRIA IN CHLOROPLAST-DEPRIVED EUGLENA-GRACILIS LATE AFTER N-SUCCINIMIDYLOFLOXACIN TREATMENT

Euglena gracilis cells were treated with N-succinimidylonoxacin. After two years of cultivation of chloroplast-free mutants a number of anom alous mitochondria have been observed. Aberrant mitochondria about 5-8 mu m long and wide with unusual shape, disfigured mitochondria with e normous size, giant swollen oval-shaped megamitochondria, narrow and v ery long (50-60 mu m) mitochondria localized at the cell perimeter wer e found in addition to normal mitochondria. The volume percentage of a berrant mitochondria in 58 % of cells leached 65 %. Swollen mitochondr ia probably do not fulfil the mitochondrial function and may cause cel l death with subsequent elimination of injured mitochondria.