Molecular Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Nonspecific Mitochondrial Permeability

In mitochondria obtained from the rat liver, we confirmed the ability of Cd²⁺ to induce the development of nonspecific mitochondrial permeability (NMP). A kinetic analysis of this process was performed. We demonstrated that the cadmium-induced NMP is mediated by activation of megachannels (mitochondrial transition permeability pores) and is realized with the participation of porin, the ADP/ATP antiporter, and cyclophilin D. A key event in the process of induction of the mitochondrial pore opening is interaction of Cd²⁺ with just the ADP/ATP antiporter.