The effect of temperature and anoxia of kidney on the subsequent oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria.

1. Kidneys were kept anoxic at 4 degrees , 20 degrees and 38 degrees . Mitochondria were then isolated and their oxidative phosphorylation and respiration were determined. 2. Under all conditions the rate of phosphate esterification was affected to a greater extent, or earlier, than oxygen consumption. 3. Glutamate and succinate were used as substrates. The depression of P/O ratio was greater for glutamate at 4 degrees , and for succinate at 20 degrees . 4. Anoxia abolished the inhibiting effect of fluoride on respiration. 5. Phosphate esterification, after anoxia, was higher in the presence of fluoride than its absence, whereas in control preparations they were the same. 6. The decrease in P/O ratio did not appear to be due to activation of adenosine triphosphatase, as activities of both Mg(2+)-and dinitrophenol-activated adenosine triphosphatases were decreased after anoxia.