Specific labeling of a phosphate-transporting protein from rat-liver mitochondria by [203Hg]mersalyl.

1. A highly specific labeling of a phosphate-transporting protein from rat-liver mitochondria was obtained with [203Hg]mersalyl under the following conditions: (a) labeling of mitoplasts, isolated by the French-Press procedure; (b) washing of the isolated inner membranes with NaCl/octylglucoside. 2. The concentration-dependent labeling of the protein with mersalyl showed a biphasic saturation which correlated well with the protection and inhibition of phosphate transport. 3. The molecular weight (Mr 31000) and the amount of labeled carrier protein (24 nmol/g mitochondrial protein) at 100% protection correlated well with published data from the literature. 4. Gel filtration of the labeled protein in the presence of non-ionic detergents showed a molecular weight of at least twice of that obtained by gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate.