Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by ionizing radiation. II. The stability of mitochondrial lipids and cytochrome c

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Biochemistry and Cell Biology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1139/o63-138· OSTI ID:4725880

Scaife, J. F.; Hill, B.

Mitochondria isolated from the thymus of rats or rabbits 4 hr after 800 rads of ionizing radiation show uncoupling of their oxidative phosphorylation. There are no significant differences in the contents of phospholipids, neutral lipids, or total fatty acids between normal and uncoupled mitochondria. There was no evidence of the formation of any lipid uncoupling factor in thymus mitochondria from irradiated animals. Heart or liver mitochondria isolated from animals irradiated up to 12 hr previously showed no uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation although preparations in various media could be made with reduced cytochrome c contents. No effect of irradiation upon endogenous cytochrome c or its binding in the mitochondria could be detected. Thymus mitochondria would appear to contain very low quantities of cytochrome c (less than 0.2 g per mg protein), yet still be tightly coupled. It is suggested that the low level may indicate a critical condition at which radiation damage could become manifest.

• Research Organization: Dept. of National Defence, Ottawa
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-023111
• OSTI ID: 4725880
• Journal Information: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Journal Name: Biochemistry and Cell Biology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 41; ISSN 0829-8211
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BIOCHEMISTRY
CYTOLOGY
HEART
IONIZATION
LIPIDS
LIVER
MITOCHONDRIA
OXIDATION
PIGMENTS
QUANTITY RATIO
RABBITS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RATS
REDUCTION
STABILITY
THYMUS