An energy dependent divalent cation-hydrogen ion binding in the outer membranes of rat liver mitochondria and its dependence on monovalent cation-hydrogen ion binding

Intact mitochondria are able to bind monovalent and divalent metal cations and to release protons in an energy-independent exchange process. Directly accessible binding sites exist in the outer membrane. They seem to be identical for monovalent and divalent metal ions. The inner membrane-matrix-fraction possesses exchange sites after ultrasonic disruption only for monovalent cations, but not for divalent cations.