Mechanism of citrinin-induced dysfunction of mitochondria. IV—Effect on Ca2+ transport

The effect of citrinin on Ca²⁺ transport was studied in isolated kidney cortex and liver mitochondria, and baby hamster kidney cultured cells. The mycotoxin significantly inhibited the activity of 2-oxoglutarate and pyruvate dehydrogenases in both kidney cortex and liver mitochondria. Citrinin promoted a decrease in the velocity and in the total capacity of Ca²⁺ uptake, in both mitochondria. Apparently, citrinin acts by a mechanism similar to ruthenium red. In intact cultured cells, citrinin also had a preferential effect on mitochondrial Ca²⁺ fluxes. Citrinin promoted a marked decrease in the Ca²⁺ level in the mitochondrial matrix, whereas that of the extramitochondiral fraction became less affected. All the observed effects were dependent on the citrinin concentration.