Abstract
The permeability of the inner membrane of turnip mitochondria to H+ and OH- ions has been investigated using an acid pulse technique. The rate of decay of a H+ pulse across the inner membrane is exponential having first-order kinetics and gives t 1/2 values of approx 54 s at neutral pH and at 25° C. Valinomycin or 1799 alone have little effect on t 1/2 values, whereas in combination, values of <15 s are observed. Nigericin produces a similar effect. The effective proton conductance of the inner membrane near pH 7 at 25° C is 0.27 nmol H+ min-1 mg protein-1 mV-1. The results suggest that at neutral pH, the inner membrane of plant mitochondria is relatively impermeable to H+ and OH- ions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen, C., Lehninger, A.L.: Ca++ transport activity in mitochondria from some plant tissues. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 157, 183–196 (1973)
Douce, R., Christensen, E.L., Bonner, W.D. Jr.: Preparation of intact plant mitochondria. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 275, 148–260 (1972)
Höpfer, U., Lehninger, A.L., Thompson, T.E.: Protonic conductance across phospholipid bilayer membranes induced by uncoupling agents for oxidative phosphorylation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 59, 484–490 (1968)
Johnson, H.M., Wilson, R.H.: Sr++ uptake by bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) mitochondria. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 267, 398–408 (1972)
Kirk, B.I., Hanson, J.B.: The stoichiometry of respiration-driven potassium transport in corn mitochondria. Plant Physiol. 51, 357–362 (1973)
Lowry, O.H., Rosebrough, N.J., Farr, A.L., Randall, R.J.: Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J. biol. Chem. 193, 265–275 (1951)
Moore, A.L.: An evaluation of H+ translocation via the alternative pathway in mung bean mitochondria. In: Functions of alternative terminal oxidases, Vol. 49, pp. 141–148. Degn, H., Lloyd, D., Hill, G.C. eds. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1978
Moore, A.L., Wilson, S.B.: Translocation of some anions, cations and acids in turnip (Brassica napus L.) mitochondria. J. exp. Bot. 28, 607–618 (1977)
Moore, A.L., Bonner, W.D. Jr., Rich, P.R.: The determination of proton motive force during cyanide-insensitive respiration in plant mitochondria. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 186, 298–306 (1978a)
Moore, A.L., Rich, P.R., Bonner, W.D. Jr.: Factors influencing the components of the total protonmotive force in mung bean mitochondria. J. exp. Bot. 29, 1–12 (1978b)
Mitchell, P.: Chemiosmotic coupling in oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation. Glynn Research Ltd. (1966)
Mitchell, P., Moyle, J.: Acid-base titration across the membrane system of rat-liver mitochondria. Biochem. J. 104, 588–600 (1967)
Mitchell, P., Moyle, J.: Estimation of membrane potential and pH difference across the cristae membrane of rat liver mitochondria. Eur. J. Biochem. 7, 471–484 (1969)
Nicholls, D.G.: Hamster brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria. Eur. J. Biochem. 49, 573–583 (1974)
Wilson, R.H., Graesser, R.J.: Ion transport in plant mitochondria. In: Transport in plants, Vol. III, pp. 377–397, Stocking, C.R., Heber, U., eds. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1977
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moore, A.L., Wilson, S.B. An estimation of the proton conductance of the inner membrane of turnip (Brassica napus L.) mitochondria. Planta 141, 297–302 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388347
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388347