Correlative light and electron microscopic observation of mitochondrial DNA in mammalian cells by using focused-ion beam scanning electron microscopy.

IntroductionMitochondrial fission and fusion events are fundamental mechanisms for quality control of mitochondrial functions. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) usually divides in offspring mitochondria after fission and mtDNA dynamics are thought to be coordinated with mitochondrial turnover. Recently, several candidate mechanisms for the relationship between mtDNA division and mitochondrial fission have been suggested ([1], 2012).