RESPIRATORY CONTROL AND K+ TRANSPORT IN SUBMITOCHONDRIAL PARTICLES

Respiratory control as measured by stimulation of respiration by an uncoupler has been demonstrated in certain submitochondrial particles after treatment with the energy transfer inhibitor, oligomycin (1). Similarly, respiratory control may be induced in ASU-particles by treatment with DCCD, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (2). The latter system has provided means by which the earliest stages of energy conservation in highly resolved submitochondrial particles may be examined. In the present study it was found that submitochondrial particles are capable of energy-linked K+ transport and that this expenditure of energy causes the release of respiratory control induced by DCCD. Evidence is also provided that respiratory control can be achieved in highly resolved submitochondrial particles by means of purified coupling factors without addition of oligomycin or DCCD. © 1969.