The role of adenine nucleotide translocation in the energization of the inner membrane of mitochondria isolated from rho + and rho degree strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The energization of rho + and rho degrees isolated mitochondria was measured using a tetraphenylphosphonium selective electrode. In both strains translocase mediated ATP/ADP exchange energization was observed. This energization was more sensitive to uncoupler than that induced by respiration in rho + mitochondria. This observation is in accordance with the hypersensitivity of rho - cell growth to uncoupler.