Assay of mitochondrial membrane-bound enzyme activities in the presence of triton X-100.

Mitochondrial ATPase and cytochrome c oxidase activities are not severely affected by Triton X-100 concentrations between 0.1 and 2.0% (w/v). The former is solubilized by the effect of the detergent, while the latter is not. Succinate: cytochrome c reductase and rotenone-sensitive NADH: cytochrome c reductase activities are destroyed even a low detergent concentrations. Succinate:coenzyme Q oxidoreductase is affected by the surfactant in a more complex way, so that selective solubilization of some subunit(s) could be involved.