Abstract: | The molecular structure of the mitochondrial glycoprotein capable of forming Ca2+-selective and ruthenium red-sensitive conductance channels when incorporating into a model membrane are studied. The glycoprotein is shown to be a complex consisting of the glycoprotein itself and a low-molecular component which may be attributed to the substance of a peptide nature. A technique is elaborated to divide the complex into constituents. It is found that the channel-forming part of the complex is its peptide component. The glycoprotein component is unable to transport Ca2+ and, probably, fulfills a regulatory function. |