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Intramitochondrial pH and Intra-extramitochondrial pH Gradient of Beef Heart Mitochondria in Various Functional States

Abstract

5,5-DIMETHYL 2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO), a weak inert acid (pKa 6.13 at 37° C), has been employed to calculate the muscle intracellular pH based on its distribution between the muscle tissue and plasma1. Although there is considerable interest in ion translocations, hydrogen ion secretion and membrane pH gradient of mitochondria, a method for the measurement of absolute values of intramitochondrial pH is not available. Measurement of intramitochondrial pH would greatly contribute to the understanding of mitochondrial function. DMO was therefore used to measure the intramitochondrial pH and intra-extramitochondrial pH gradient of beef heart mitochondria in resting, respiring (state 4), both respiring and phosphorylating (state 3), and calcium ion(II) activated respiratory states on the basis of the intra- and extra-mitochondrial distribution of DMO.

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ADDANKI, S., CAHILL, F. & SOTOS, J. Intramitochondrial pH and Intra-extramitochondrial pH Gradient of Beef Heart Mitochondria in Various Functional States. Nature 214, 400–402 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/214400b0

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