The K(+)-ionophores nonactin and valinomycin interact differently with the protein of reconstituted cytochrome c oxidase.

The K(+)-ionophores valinomycin and nonactin induce a qualitatively identical change of the visible spectrum of isolated oxidized cytochrome c oxidase (red shift), but the amplitude is half with nonactin. Valinomycin, in the presence or absence of a protonophore, stimulates the respiration of the reconstituted enzyme to a higher extent than nonactin and results in a higher Km for cytochrome c. In contrast, nonactin causes a fivefold rate of proton conductivity across a liposomal membrane, after induction of a K(+)-diffusion potential. The data indicate that respiratory control by these antibiotics is not only due to degradation of a membrane potential, but rather to specific interaction with and modification of cytochrome c oxidase.