PMID: 1211189Jan 1, 1975Paper

Digitonin resistance of liver mitochondria isolated from copper-deficient and copper-loaded rats

Acta Physiologica Et Pharmacologica Bulgarica
E M Russanov, M Kirkova

Abstract

Liver mitochondria of copper-deficient and copper-loaded rats are with changed composition, ultrastructure and functions. The aim of the present work is to study the digitonin resistance of these mitochondria as an indicator for the changes in the membranes. Copper deficiency and copper loading are achieved by eliminating resp. by adding copper to the diet for four to six weeks. The copper content of the mitochondria in the control group of animals is 0.55 X 10(-9)M/mg protein. 0.20 X 10(-9) M/mg protein in the copper-deficient rats and 1.8 X 10(-9) M in the copper-loaded rats. Digitonin resistance is measured by the degree of increase in the activity of a matrix enzyme, malatedehydrogenase, upon destruction of the various mitochondrial membranes and to a different degree by ascending digitonin concentrations. The digitonin effect on the membranes is maximal for concentrations of 0.8 to 1.0 mg digitonin/mg protein. The digitonin resistance of the inner membranes increases in the case of copper deficiency, while coppor loading has the opposite effect on the resistance of the outer membranes. Moreover, coppor loading results in an increase in the general activity of the mitochondrial malatedehydrogenase as compared with the contr...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.