Nondroplet ultrastructural demonstration of cytochrome oxidase activity with a polymerizing osmiophilic reagent, diaminobenzidine (DAB).

A new method for demonstrating cytochrome oxidase activity, based upon the oxidative polymerization of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) to an osmiophilic reaction product, has improved the localization of this enzyme over methods based upon the Nadi reaction, in both the light and electron microscopes. The reaction product occurs in nondroplet form, which more accurately delineates the localization of cytochrome oxidase in mitochondria of heart, liver, and kidney. In electron microscopic preparations the excess reaction product is found to overflow into the intracristate spaces and into the outer compartment between inner and outer limiting mitochondrial membranes. This finding suggests that the enzymatic activity of cytochrome c is located on the inner surface of the intracristate space which is the outer surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Succinic dehydrogenase activity has also been located at this site by using an osmiophilic ditetrazolium salt, TC-NBT. Considered together, the sites of reactivity of both parts of the respiratory chain have implications for the chemiosomotic hypothesis of Mitchell who suggests a mechanism of energy conservation during electron transport in the respiratory chain of the mitochondrion.