The increase of hydroxyproline-containing proteins in Jerusalem artichoke mitochondria during the development of cyanide-insensitive respiration

Mitochondria purified from freshly cut and from aged slices of Jerusalem artichoke tubers contain hydroxyproline proteins. These proteins are present in much higher amounts in mitochondria with KCN-insensitive respiration, i.e. in those from aged slices. It is suggested that the dependence of KCN-insensitive respiration on Vit. C is due to the fact that the development of this alternate oxidase requires the ascorbic acid-dependent synthesis of a hydroxyproline-containing mitochondrial protein.