Reversible inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory control by tetrabutylammonium bromide.

Influences of tetrabutylammonium bromide as a phosphorylation inhibitor and as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria were reversed by washing the organelles. Uncoupling by 2,4-dinitrophenol was also reversible whereas gramicidin and the detergents, sodium dodecylsulfate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, were tightly bound uncouplers and they were not substantially removed by simple washing.