Growth,respiration and cytology of acetate-negative mutants ofCandida albicans

A number of acriflavine-induced mutants ofCandida albicans, characterized by their inability to grow on acetate as a source of energy, were screened for their cytochrome absorption spectra. Three mutants with different spectra, along with their parent, were selected for comparative studies, of their growth, respiratory activities and cellular structure. The spectrum of one of the mutants was the same as that of the wild-type, but the growth rate and yield of cells on glucose medium were only about 60% of the wild-type's; those of a second mutant deficient in cytochromes aa₃ were 50%, and those of a third mutant deficient in cytochromes aa₃ and b were less than 5% of those of the wild-type. The cytochrome-complete mutant and the wild-type showed respiratory activity both on glucose and ethanol well above the endogenous, the cytochrome aa₃-deficient mutant showed only endogenous respiration, and the cytochrome aa₃, b-deficient mutant no respiration at all. Electron microscopy of the wild-type cells revealed discrete, regular ovoidal, cristate mitochondria spaced near the periphery of the protoplasm; the cytochrome-complete mutant showed an abundance of large, cristate, but morphologically irregular mitochondria; the cytochrome aa₃-deficient mutant had fewer but still large, cristate, somewhat irregular mitochondria; and the cytochrome aa₃, b-deficient mutant only a few simple vesicles without discernible cristae.     

Inhibition of specific electron transport pathways leads to oxidative stress and decreased Candida albicans proliferation

Candida parapsilosis mitochondria contain three respiratory chains: the classical respiratory chain (CRC), a secondary parallel chain (PAR) and an “alternative” oxidative pathway (AOX). We report here the existence of similar pathways in C. albicans. To observe the capacity of each pathway to sustain yeast growth, C. albicans cells were cultured in the presence of inhibitors of these pathways. Antimycin A and KCN totally abrogated yeast growth, while rotenone did not prevent proliferation. Furthermore, rotenone promoted only partial respiratory inhibition. Lower concentrations of KCN that promote partial inhibition of respiration did not inhibit yeast growth, while partial inhibition of respiration with antimycin A did. Similarly, AOX inhibitor BHAM decreased O₂ consumption slightly but completely stunted cell growth. Reactive oxygen species production and oxidized glutathione levels were enhanced in cells treated with antimycin A or BHAM, but not rotenone or KCN. These findings suggest that oxidative stress prevents C. albicans growth.     

Inhibition and stimulation of root respiration in pisum and plantago by hydroxamate : its consequences for the assessment of alternative path activity

The contribution of the alternative pathway in root respiration of Pisum sativum L. cv Rondo, Plantago lanceolata L., and Plantago major L. ssp major was determined by titration with salicylhydroxamate (SHAM) in the absence and presence of cyanide. SHAM completely inhibited the cyanide-resistant component of root respiration at 5 to 10 millimolar with an apparent K_i of 600 micromolar. In contrast, SHAM enhanced pea root respiration by 30% at most, at concentrations below 15 millimolar. An unknown oxidase appeared to be responsible for this stimulation. Its maximum activity in the presence of low SHAM concentrations (1-5 millimolar) was 40% of control respiration rate in pea roots, since 25 millimolar SHAM resulted in 10% inhibition. In plantain roots, the maximum activity was found to be 15%. This hydroxamate-activated oxidase was distinct from the cytochrome path by its resistance to antimycin. The results of titrations with cyanide and antimycin indicated that high SHAM concentrations (up to 25 millimolar) block the hydroxamate-activated oxidase, but do not affect the cytochrome path and, therefore, are a reliable tool for estimating the activity of the alternative path in vivo. A considerable fraction of root respiration was mediated by the alternative path in plantain (45%) and pea (15%), in the latter because of the saturation of the cytochrome path.     

Gene mutation eliminating antimycin A-tolerant electron transport in Ustilago maydis

A class of mutants of Ustilago maydis selected on a fungitoxic oxathiin lack of antimycin A-tolerant respiratory system which is present in wild-type cells. This system provides, directly or indirectly, for considerable resistance to antimycin A because growth of mutant cells lacking the system is much more sensitive to the antibiotic than that of the wild type. Antimycin A-sensitive O(2) uptake and growth is found in half of the progeny from crosses of mutant to wild type. All antimycin A-sensitive segregants are somewhat more resistant to oxathiins than the antimycin A-resistant segregants. The respiration of the mutant is strongly inhibited by cyanide and azide at concentrations which stimulate respiration of the wild type. Respiration of both mutant and wild type is about equally inhibited by rotenone. It appears that the mutation alters some component of the respiratory system located between the rotenone inhibition site and the antimycin A inhibition site that permits shift of electron transport to an alternate terminal oxidase when the normal electron transport pathway is blocked.     

Preparation and some properties of submitochondrial particles from tightly coupled mung bean mitochondria

Osmotic shock was found to be better than freezing and thawing, a French press, or sonic oscillation for the preparation of submitochondrial particles from mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) hypocotyl mitochondria. Particles prepared by osmotic shock rapidly oxidize reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and succinate, but they oxidize malate slowly. NADH oxidation was slightly stimulated by cytochrome c, ATP, and ADP; succinate oxidation was markedly increased by ATP, slightly by ADP and cytochrome c; and malate oxidation required the addition of NAD⁺ NADH oxidation is inhibited weakly by amytal, completely by antimycin A and KCN, but not by rotenone. Chlorsuccinate, malonate, antimycin A, and KCN inhibit succinate oxidation. The action of antimycin A and KCN is incomplete, while chlorsuccinate and malonate were competitive inhibitors. Antimycin A combined stoichiometrically with particle protein in the ratio of 0.23 millimicromole per milligram of protein.     

The Effect of Respiratory Inhibitors on NADH, Succinate and Malate Oxidation in Corn Mitochondria

The effect of a series of respiratory inhibitors on the oxidation of NADH in state 4 and state 3 conditions was studied with corn shoot mitochondria. Comparisons were made using malate and succinate as substrates. The inhibitors, rotenone, amytal, antimycin A and cyanide, inhibited oxidation of NADH in state 3 but rotenone and amytal did not inhibit oxidation in state 4. The inhibition by antimycin A was partially overcome by the presence of cytochrome c. The results indicate the presence of alternative pathways available for NADH oxidation depending on the metabolic condition of the mitochondria. Under state 4 conditions, NADH oxidation bypasses the amytal and rotenone sensitive sites but under state 3 conditions a component of the NADH respiration appears to be oxidized by an internal pathway which is sensitive to these inhibitors. Still a third pathway for NADH oxidation is dependent on the addition of cytochrome c and is insensitive to antimycin A. Succinate oxidation was sensitive to cyanide and antimycin A under both state 4 and state 3 conditions as well as amytal and rotenone under state 3 conditions but was not inhibited by amytal and rotenone under state 4 conditions. Malate oxidation was inhibited by cyanide, rotenone and amytal under both state 4 and state 3 conditions. Antimycin A inhibited state 3 but did not appreciably alter state 4 rates of malate oxidation. With all substrates tested inhibition by antimycin A was greatly facilitated by preswelling the mitochondria for 10 min. This was interpreted to indicate that swelling increases the accessibility of antimycin A to the site of inhibition.     

Comparative Physiology of Respiration in Aquatic Fungi II. The Saprolegniales, Especially Aphanomyces astaci

The endogenous respiration of six members of Saprolegniaceae (Oomycetes), Saprotegnia sp., Thraustotheca sp., Achlya sp., Dichtyuchus sp., Aphanomyces euteiches, and A. astaci were studied in the presence and in the absence of exogenous substrate using conventional manometric techniques. Glucose stimulated the rate of oxygen uptake of unstarved mycelia to some extent in all the fungi. Attempts to increase the weak stimulation of respiration by glucose in A. astaci were not successful. The respiratory quotients of the fungi tested were usually in the range of 0.7 to 0.9 during endogenous respiration, and addition of glucose increased these values more than expected. L-leucine and L-glutamic acid stimulated respiration of A. astaci only when the fugus was starved, and acetic acid and butyric acid were inhibitory. Fructose and acetic acid increased respiration in starved mycelium of A. euteiches while L-leucine and L-glutamic acid had little effect. Antimycin A, HOQNO, HCN, and fluoroacetate strongly inhibited endogenous oxygen uptake by A. astaci. Amytal and azide were also markedly inhibitory while rotenone and CO had little effect. DNP and diphenylamine inhibited respiration at a high concentration but at a lower concentration DNP was stimulatory. In contrast the respiration of Saprolegnia sp. was resistant to cyanide, antimycin A, and HOQNO. Spectrophotometric observations on homogenized mycelia of Saprolegnia sp. and of A. astaci indicated the presence of cytochrome c (551 nm), two b-type cytochromes (557 and 564 nm) and cytochrome a-a₃ (605 nm) all in approximately equimolar concentrations. In both strains CO combined with cytochrome a₃ and an unidentified pigment. A remarkable similarity in the cytochrome system seems to exist between these two strains and some members of the Leptomitales.     

Response of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in mesophyll protoplasts to restriction on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism: Metabolites related to the redox status and sucrose biosynthesis

The patterns of cellular metabolites related to redox status and sucrose biosynthesis in mesophyll protoplasts of pea (Pisum sativum L.) were examined in the absence or presence of oligomycin (inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation) or antimycin A (inhibitor of cytochrome pathway) or salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) (inhibitor of alternative pathway). The increase on illumination in the rate of photosynthesis or cellular metabolites was more at optimal CO₂ (1.0 mM NaHCO₃) compared to that at limiting CO₂ (0.1 mM NaHCO₃). Furthermore, the inhibition of photosynthesis in presence of mitochondrial inhibitors was more pronounced at optimal CO₂ than that at limiting CO₂. There was a marked increase in steady-state levels of triose-P/PGA (phosphoglyceric acid) and glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) in the presence of oligomycin and antimycin A. In contrast, SHAM caused a marked increase in malate/OAA (oxaloacetate). We suggest that dissipation of excess redox equivalents generated in photosynthesis occurs through both cytochrome and alternative pathways, while sucrose biosynthesis is backed up by cytochrome pathway alone. Thus, mitochondrial respiration (through both cytochrome and alternative pathways of mitochondrial electron transport) optimizes chloroplast photosynthesis by modulating cellular metabolites related to both intracellular redox state and sucrose biosynthesis.     

A regulatory system controlling the production of cytochrome aa3 in Neurospora crassa

Summary The mitochondria of the cyt-2-1, cya-3-16, cya-4-23 and 299-1 nuclear mutants and the [mi-3] and [exn-5] cytoplasmic mutants of Neurospora crassa are deficient in cytochrome aa ₃, while the cyb-1-1 and cyb-2-1 mutants have mitochondrial b-cytochrome dificiencies. However, the mitochondria from cyb-1-1 cyt-2-1, cyb-1-1 [mi-3] and cyb-2-1 [mi-3] double mutants contain 30% to 50% of the amount of cytochrome aa ₃ that is present in mitochondria from wild-type; i.e. cyb-1-1 and cyb-2-2 act as suppressors of the cytochrome aa ₃ deficiency phenotypes that are associated with the cyt-2-1 and [mi-3] mutations.The production of cytochrome aa ₃ can be induced in cyt-2-1 and [mi-3] by growing cells in medium containing antimycin A, an inhibitor of electron transport in the cytochrome bc ₁ segment of the mitochondrial electrontransport chain. Moreover, the growth of the [mi-3] mutant is strongly stimulated by low concentrations of antimycin A. The induction of cytochrome aa ₃ by antimycin treatments does not occur in [exn-5], cya-4-23 and 299-1 cells, but does take place in cya-3-16 cells.Although some of the seven constituent polypeptides of cytochrome aa ₃ are present the mitochondria of [mi-3], the holoenzyme complex is not formed in the mutant. In contrast, the mitochondria of cyb-1-1 [mi-3] and cyb-2-2 [mi-3] double mutants contain a fully assembled cytochrome oxidase complex as well as some unassembled subunit polypeptides.The observations are indicative of the existence of at least two regulatory systems controlling the production of cytochrome aa ₃. One of the circuits appears to control the basal or constitutive production of cytochrome oxidase, the other seems to coordinate the level of cytochrome aa ₃ with some function of the mitochondrial cytochrome bc ₁ complex, possibly electron transport.     

Antimycin-insensitive Cytochrome-mediated Respiration in Fresh and Aged Potato Slices

The effect of antimycin A on the respiration of fresh potato (Solanum tuberosum var. Russet Burbank) slices has been determined in the presence and absence of m-chlorobenzhydroxamic acid (CLAM). Two antimycin-binding sites are indicated. At low concentrations antimycin alone inhibits respiration only slightly. When CLAM and low antimycin are added together, respiration is sharply inhibited, as in response to cyanide. High antimycin alone is as inhibitory as cyanide. The branch point to the alternate path is intact in fresh slices, as is the hydroxamate-sensitive component. The full alternate path is inoperative, however, as indicated by the sensitivity to cyanide. The data suggest an alternate path loop which bypasses the high affinity antimycin site and returns electrons to the cytochrome path. Antimycin at high concentrations prevents articulation of the loop with the cytochrome path.

The respiration of aged slices is not only markedly resistant to antimycin at high concentrations, but quite insensitive to CLAM in the presence of antimycin. A model is proposed which involves parallel paths within complex III of the cytochrome path, with one path bearing the high affinity, and the other the low affinity antimycin site. With slice aging the antimycin affinity of the latter site is even further reduced, providing a relatively antimycin-insensitive bypass to both the high affinity antimycin-sensitive cytochrome path, and the CLAM-sensitive alternate path. The alternate path loop in fresh slices is presumed to feed into the low affinity antimycin-sensitive arm of the cytochrome path.

     

Influence of the alternative respiratory pathway on the adenylate pools in heterotrophic Euglena gracilis

Etiolated Euglena gracilis Pringsheim, strain Z, were cultured in a lactate medium either in the presence of 2 μ M antimycin A for cells adapted to this inhibitor, or in the absence of antimycin A for controls. The adenylates (ATP, ADP and AMP) and the energy charge (EC) were followed during the growth of both types of cells. The effects of KCN, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) and rotenone on the respiration and the adenylate pool, were investigated during the exponental and stationary phases. EC values of controls and antimycin-adapted cells were not significantly different during culture. In the logarithmic phase, EC of controls was unaffected by 3 m M SHAM, an inhibitor of the alternative pathway, but markedly decreased by 0.3 m M KCN, which inhibits the cytochrome pathway. In contrast, in antimycin-adapted Euglena , in which the cytochrome pathway was blocked, ATP content and EC were markedly lowered in the presence of SHAM but slightly increased by 0.3 m M KCN. The combination of the preceeding treatments, as well as 15 m M KCN alone, were deleterious for both types of cells, in the logarithmic and the late stationary phases. The data indicate that the energy level in Euglena was dependent on the alternative pathway when the cytochrome pathway was blocked. Such dependence could be explained by the engagement of the first rotenone-sensitive site of phosphorylation. Indeed, 50 μ M rotenone caused a similar relative decrease of oxygen consumption and ATP content in controls and in antimycin-adapted Euglena . In the absence of cytochrome respiration, the alternative pathway allowed electrons to flow through this first segment of the respiratory chain, and ATP production by the first site of phosphorylation.     

The alternate respiratory pathway of Candida albicans

Candida albicans contains a cryptic cyanide and antimycin A insensitive respiratory system. This alternate oxidase was found (i) at all growth rates from =0.05 to 0.26 in a chemostat culture and (ii) in both mycelial and yeast forms of the organism. Neither chloramphenicol nor cycloheximide prevented the expression of the alternate oxidase. Salicyl-hydroxamic acid was a potent inhibitor of the cyanide insensitive respiration. The respiration of mitochondria grown in the presence of antimycin A was not inhibited by cyanide or antimycin A but was inhibited by salicylhydroxamic acid.Abbreviations KCN potassium cyanide - SHAM salicyl hydroxamic acid     

Evidence that energy conserving electron transport pathways to nitrate and cytochrome o branch at ubiquinone in Paracoccus denitrificans

The organisation and function of electron transport pathways in Paracoccus denitrificans has been studied with both inhibitors and electrode probes for O₂ or N₂O respiration and membrane potential. Myxothiazol completely inhibits electron flow through the cytochrome bc₁ region of the electron transport chain, as judged by its effect on nitrous oxide respiration. Electron flow to oxygen via the cytochrome o oxidase was shown to be insensitive to myxothiazol in a mutant, HUUG 25, that lacks cytochrome c and in which the aa₃ oxidase is therefore inactive. Myxothiazol did not inhibit nitrate reduction. It is concluded that myxothiazol is a specific inhibitor of electron flow through the cytochrome bc₁ region and more potent than antimycin which does not give complete inhibition.As neither antimycin nor myxothiazol, nor a combination of the two, inhibits electron transport to either nitrate reductase or cytochrome o it is concluded that electron transport pathways to these enzymes do not involve the cytochrome bc₁ region but rather branch at the level of ubiquinone. Although the cytochrome o pathway branches at ubiquinone, it is associated with the generation of a protonmotive force; this is shown by measurements of membrane potential in vesicle preparations from the mutant HUUG 25.In contrast to antimycin and myxothiazol, the ubiquinone analogues 5-n-undecyl-6-hydroxy-4,7-dioxobenzothiazole (UHDBT) and 2-n-undecyl-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (UHNQ) inhibit electron flow through both the cytochrome bc₁ complex and the cytochrome o pathway, although a higher titre is required in the latter case. These two inhibitors were without effect on the nitrate reductase pathway. Thus myxothiazol is the inhibitor of choice for selective and complete inhibition of cytochrome bc₁.Recently published schemes for electron transport in P. denitrificans are analysed.Non standard abbreviations S-13 2,5-dichloro-3-t-butyl-4-nitrososalicylanilide - UHNQ 2-n-undecyl-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone - UHDBT 5-n-undecyl-6-hydroxy-4,7-dioxobenzothiazole     

Genetic interactions in the control of mitochondrial functions in Paramecium

Summary The genetic and physiological properties of two nuclear mutants of Parameccium tetraurelia affecting mitochondrial properties, and first screened as resistant to tetrazolium (TTC) are described. The mutant TTC _64-1 ^R is strongly deficient in cytochrome c and the mutant TTC _66p ^R is partially deficient in cytochrome aa₃; both mutants display cyanide insensitive respiration in exponential growth phase. In the double mutant TTC _64-1 ^R -TTC _66p ^R /TTC _64-1 ^R -TTC _66p ^R the deficiency in cytochrome aa₃ due to the TTC _64-1 ^R mutation is suppressed. The mutation TTC _64-1 ^R does not suppress cytochrome aa₃ deficiencies due to mitochondrial mutations, but does interact with another nuclear mutation, cl ₁, (compatible only with mitochondria deficient in cytochrome oxidase) in such a way that the double mutant TTC _64-1 ^R -cl ₁/TTC _64-1 ^R -cl ₁ displays a normal amount of cytochrome aa₃. The possible mechanisms and physiological significance of these suppressive effects are discussed.Abbreviations TTC^R/TTC^S resistant/sensitive to tetrazolium - KCN^R/KCN^S cyanide insensitive/sensitive respiration - aa ₃ ^- /aa ₃ ⁺ deficient/normal amount of cytochrome aa₃ - c^-/c⁺ deficient/normal amount of cytochrome c     

Alternative respiration of fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phycomyces blakesleeanus</Emphasis>

Respiratory characteristics of germinating spores, developing mycelium and mitochondria of the fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus were investigated by means of oxygen Clark-type electrode. The effects of respiratory inhibitors and metabolic compounds on oxygen consumption were tested. It was demonstrated that P. blakesleeanus apart of cyanide-sensitive respiration, CSR, possess alternative respiration, (cyanide-resistant respiration, CRR) which is constitutive and whose capacity decreases during development. Maximum is observed for activated spores where CRR capacity is significantly greater than CSR. After treatment with antimycin A, a third type of respiration insensitive to antimycin A and low concentration of SHAM (sufficient for inhibition of CRR), but sensitive to cyanide and high concentration of SHAM, has been expressed.     

Induction by antimycin A of cyanide-resistant respiration in heterotrophic Euglena gracilis: Effects of growth,respiration and protein biosynthesis

The addition of antimycin A during the logarithmic phase of growth of heterotrophic Euglena gracilis cultures (in lactate or glucose medium) was immediately followed by decreased respiration and a cessation of grwoth. Induced cyanideresistent respiration appeared 5 h after the addition of the inhibitor then the cells started to grow again and could be cultured in the presence of antimycin A. Thus the cells exhibited a cyanide-and antimycin-resistant respiration which was, in addition, sensitive to salicylhydroxamic acid and propylgallate. Antimycin-adapted Euglena and control cells were compared for their biomass production and protein synthesis. The difference in growth yield between control and antimycin-adapted cells was not as high as would be expected if only the first phosphorylation site of the normal respiratory chain was active in the presence of antimycin A. Furthermore, the ability to incorporate labelled valine into proteins, under resting-cell conditions, was not changed. Strong correlations were established between the effects of respiratory effectors on O₂ consumption and valine incorporation. These results suggest that sufficient energy for protein synthesis and growth is provided by the operation of the cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway in antimycin-adapted Euglena.Abbreviations DNP dinitrophenol - PG propylgallate - SHAM salicylhydroxamic acid     

Respiration of barley protoplasts before and after illumination

Respiratory O₂ consumption was investigated in dark-adapted barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Gunilla) protoplasts and after illumination for 10 min at high and very low CO₂ in the presence of respiratory and photorespiratory inhibitors. In dark-adapted protoplasts no difference was observed between inhibitor treatments in high and very low CO₂. The respiratory rate increased somewhat after illumination and a difference in responce to inhibitors was in some cases observed between high and very low CO₂. Thus, the operation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain is affected following a period of active photosynthesis. In all situations tested, oligomycin inhibited respiratiory O₂ uptake indicating that respiration of mitochondria in protoplasts is not strictly ADP limited. Antimycin A inhibited respiration more in dark-adapted protoplasts than after illumination whereas SHAM gave the opposite response. Rotenone inhibited respiration both in dark-adapted protoplasts (about 30%) and after illumination where the inhibition was much greater in very low CO₂ (50%) than in high CO₂ (10%). After illumination in very low CO₂. SHAM + rotenone inhibited respiration almost completely (70%). Photorespiratory inhibitors had very small effect on O₂ consumption in darkness. After illumination the effect of aminoacetonitrile (AAN) was also very low whereas α-hydroxypyridine-2-methane sulphonate (HPMS) in photorespiratory conditions inhibited O₂ uptake much stronger (35%). The addition of glyoxylate enhanced respiration in the presence of HPMS up to the control level suggesting that alternative pathways of glyoxylate conversion might be operating. The differences in inhibitor responses may reflect fine mechanisms for the regulation of energetic balance in the plant cell which consists of switching from electron transport coupled to ATP production to non-coupled transport. Photorespiratory flux is also very flexible, and the suppression of glycine decarboxylation can induce bypass reactions of glyoxylate metabolism.     

Biochemistry and physiological role of methionine sulfoxide residues in proteins

The cytochrome system in eggs and embryos of the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, was investigated. Difference spectra of the mitochondrial fraction demonstrated the presence of a complete cytochrome system in unfertilized eggs. Cytochrome levels and the activities of respiratory enzymes were measured in crude extracts of eggs both before and after fertilization. Unfertilized eggs contained cytochromes aa₃, b, and c + c₁ in a ratio of 1.0:1.8:0.7. Gastrulae contained almost the same amount of cytochromes aa₃and b as unfertilized eggs. However, the amount of cytochrome c + c₁ in gastrulae was 1.5 times greater than that in unfertilized eggs. The activity of cytochrome oxidase remained unchanged during development. No cytochrome oxidase inhibitor was found in unfertilized eggs. Both antimycin A-sensitive and insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activities increased during development. The activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase increased during early development, reached a temporary plateau, and then declined at the pluteus stage. These results are discussed in relation to the increase of respiration during early development.     

Fasciola hepatica: cytochrome c oxidoreductases and effects of oxygen tension and inhibitors

Studies were made on the mechanism of respiration in Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda). Respiration was found to be dependent on the oxygen tension. The respiratory enzyme systems, NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.2.1), succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.99.1) NADH oxidase and cytochrome c-oxygen oxidoreductase (EC 1.9.3.1) were detected in a mitochondrial preparation, the NADH oxidase activity being markedly stimulated by addition of mammalian cytochrome c. Amytal and rotenone inhibited NADH oxidase activity. Antimycin A inhibited succinoxidase activity only at relatively high concentrations. Azide was inhibitory at high concentrations. However, cyanide was found to stimulate respiration. Hydrogen peroxide was found to be an end product of respiration in F. hepatica.     

Mitochondrial respiratory chain of Tetrahymena pyriformis. The thermodynamic and spectral properties

The mitochondria isolated from the ciliate protozoon Tetrahymena pyriformis carry an oxidative phosphorylation with P/O ratio of 2 for succinate oxidation and P/O ratio of 3 for the oxidation of the NAD-linked substrates. The respiration is more than 90% inhibited with 1 mM cyanide while antimycin A and rotenone inhibit at concentrations of 1000-fold higher than those effective in mammalian mitochondria.Using a combination of spectral studies and potentiometric titrations, the components of the respiratory chain were identified and characterized with respect to the values of their half-reduction potentials. In the cytochrome bc₁ region of the chain a cytochrome c was present with an E_m7.2 of 0.225 V and two components with absorption maxima at 560 nm and the half-reduction potential values of ?0.065 and ?0.15 V at pH 7.2. The cytochrome with the more positive half-reduction potential was identified as the analogue of the cytochrome(s) b present in mitochondria of higher organisms, while the cytochrome with the more negative half-reduction potential was tentatively identified as cytochrome o. In addition ubiquinone was present at a concentration of approx. 4 nmol per mg mitochondrial protein.In the spectral region where cytochromes a absorb at least three cytochromes were found. A cytochrome with an absorption maximum at 593 nm and a midpoint potential of ?0.085 V at pH 7.2 was identified as cytochrome a₁. The absorption change at 615–640 nm, attributed usually to cytochrome a₂ was resolved into two components with E_m7.2 values of 0.245 and 0.345 V. It is concluded that the terminal oxidase in Tetrahymena pyriformis mitochondria is cytochrome a₂ which in its two-component structure resembles cytochrome aa₃.