Control of oxidative phosphorylation in rat heart mitochondria: The role of the adenine nucleotide carrier

1. Inhibitor titration experiments carried out with carboxyatractyloside, oligomycin and rotenone show that in the case of heart mitochondria the membrane-bound ATPase and the respiratory chain are the major factors controlling the rate of oxidative phosphorylation whereas the adenine nucleotide carrier exhibits no control strength. 2. As shown by carboxyatractyloside titration curves under different conditions, the relative importance of the adenine nucleotide carrier depends on the mode of regeneration (F₁-ATPase or glucose plus hexokinase) of ADP from ATP exported outside mitochondria, on the total concentration of adenine nucleotides present in the medium and on the mode of limitation of the rate of respiration (cyanide, rotenone, oligomycin or mersalyl). 3. Concomitantly with the inhibition of O₂ consumption, carboxyatractyloside brings about a rise in membrane potential. The inverse relationship between the two processes is observed for carboxyatractyloside concentrations ranging between 0.7 and 1.5 nmol per mg protein. Carboxyatractyloside concentrations below and above this range increase the membrane potential without affecting significantly the rate of respiration. 4. Titration experiments aimed at comparing the effects of ADP, carboxyatractyloside and the uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, corroborate the conclusion that in heart mitochondria a major limiting factor in oxidative phosphorylation is the capacity of the respiratory chain.