The formation of spatial structures in a thin unstirred layer of a mitochondrial suspension has been studied. It is shown that the structure formation depends on the state of the ion-transporting systems of mitochondria and that pattern development coincides with the activation of cation efflux from preloaded mitochondria. Spatial structure formation is an energy-dependent process and is suppressed by respiratory chain inhibitors. Patterning is also inhibited by EGTA, EDTA and ruthenium red, reflecting the requirement for divalent cation translocation in mitochondria for the studied phenomenon.
