[Inhibition of the yeast respiratory system by Zn-protoporphyrin and effect of photolysis of this substance].

We have shown earlier that yeast cells grown in synthetic mediums supplemented with Zn++ accumulate large amounts of Zn-protoporphyrin within their mitochondria. This accumulation is accompanied by an inhibition of respiration (3). This study deals with the effect of light on the respiratory inhibition and the release of respiratory control which are observed if Zn-protoporphyrin is added to isolated mitochondria which are initially devoid of this pigment. In addition, we have studied the effect of light on the respiratory inhibition exerted by Zn-protoporphyrin accumulated in vivo. The following results were obtained: 1) The light-induced destruction of Zn-protoporphrin which had been added in vitro to Zn-protoporphyrin-free mitochondria significantly inhibits respiration and phosphorylation. Under these conditions, the extent of the inhibitions increases with the concentration of the added Zn-protoporphyrin and the duration of illumination. 2) Accumulation of Zn-protoporphyrin within the cells causes an inhibition of the respiratory activities and the activities of succinate-cytochrome c reductase and NADH-cytochrome c reductase of the mitochondria. Illumination of the isolated mitochondria from Zn-protoporphyrin-containing cells enhances the inhibition of these activities. No light-induced inhibition of these activities is observed with mitochondria from cells devoid of Zn-protoporphyrin.