Control of the mitochondrial inner membrane permeability by sulfhydryl groups

The effect of some thiol alkylating agents (N-substituted maleimide derivatives) on the permeability of the mitochondrial inner membrane was investigated. Several experimental approaches were used to study the modifications of the permeability properties. Alkylation of sulfhydryl groups led to an increase in the nonspecific permeability as judged by (i) the augmentation of the rate of osmotic shrinkage of mitochondria induced by polyethylene glycol, (ii) the sensitization of succinate dehydrogenase toward oxaloacetate, (iii) the enhancement of the oxidation rate of exogenous NADH, and (iv) the increase of the sucrose permeable space. The sulfhydryl groups involved in the maintenance of the selective permeability were shown to be located in the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Energization of mitochondria provoked an unmasking of these sulfhydryl groups. When magnesium ions were present in the incubation medium, N-substituted maleimide derivatives promoted gross modifications of the intramitochondrial ionic contents. Effluxes of endogenous calcium ions, inorganic phosphate, adenine nucleotides, and NAD(P)H were established. It was concluded that sulfhydryl groups probably play a crucial role in the maintenance of the membrane integrity and thus control the mitochondrial inner membrane permeability.