Abstract
SEVERAL recent investigations1–4 have suggested that an important function of thyroxine may be an ‘uncoupling’ of oxidative phosphorylation. However, studies with a multi-enzyme system (isolated from digitonin extracts of mitochondria5) capable of performing oxidative phosphorylation have indicated6 that thyroxine and its analogues have no direct effect on this process. Concurrently7, it has been observed that these compounds alter the morphology of rat liver mitochondria in vitro. In concentrations as low as 10−6 M, both thyroxine and triiodothyronine produce a prompt and marked swelling of the mitochondria. In contrast, 2,4-dinitrophenol, in concentrations which completely ‘uncouple’ oxidative phosphorylation, provides protection against swelling. It has therefore been postulated6 that the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation produced by thyroxine in intact mitochondria is secondary to an alteration in the morphology of the mitochondria and not the result of a direct interaction of the hormone with the enzymes of oxidative phosphorylation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Martius, C., and Hess, B., Biochem. Z., 326, 191 (1955).
Hoch, F. L., and Lipmann, F., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 40, 909 (1954).
Maley, G. F., and Lardy, H. A., J. Biol. Chem., 204, 435 (1953).
Klemperer, H. G., Biochem. J., 60, 122 (1955).
Cooper, C., and Lehninger, A. L., J. Biol. Chem., 219, 489 (1956).
Tapley, D. F., and Cooper, C., J. Biol. Chem., 222, 341 (1956).
Tapley, D. F., J. Biol. Chem., 222, 325 (1956).
Gordon, E. S., and Heming, A. E., Endocrin., 34, 353 (1944).
Gross, J., and Leblond, C. P., J. Biol. Chem., 184, 489 (1950).
Brody, T. M., and Bain, J. A., J. Biol. Chem., 195, 685 (1952).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
TAPLEY, D., COOPER, C. Effect of Thyroxine on the Swelling of Mitochondria isolated from Various Tissues of the Rat. Nature 178, 1119 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/1781119a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1781119a0
This article is cited by
-
Thyrotoxic myopathy
Acta Neuropathologica (1981)
-
Ultrastructure of the Gunn rat substantia nigra I. Cytoplasmic changes
Acta Neuropathologica (1976)
-
Ultrastructure of the Gunn rat substantia nigra
Acta Neuropathologica (1976)
-
Effect on the Plasma Citrate of Treatment of Primary Hypothyroidism with Triiodothyronine
Nature (1962)
-
�ber den Einflu\ von Dinitrophenol und Thyroxin auf die Ultrastruktur des Herzmuskels bei der Ratte
Virchows Archiv f�r Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und f�r Klinische Medizin (1962)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.