Proton electrochemical gradient and rate of controlled respiration in mitochondria.

The correlation between deltamuH, the proton electrochemical potential difference, and the rate of controlled respiration is analyzed. deltamuH (the proton concentration gradient) is measured on the distribution of [3H]acetate, and deltapsi (the membrane potential) on the distribution of 86Rb+, 45Ca2+ and [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium used either alone or simultaneously. The effects of the addition of ADP + hexokinase (state-3 ADP) and of carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (state-3 uncoupler) on respiration and deltamuH are not equivalent: the uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than ADP at equivalent respiratory rates. The effects of the additions of nigericin-valinomycin and of ionophore A23187 (state-3 cation transport) and of carbonylcyanide trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (state 3-uncoupler) on respiration and deltamuH are also not equivalent: the uncoupler depresses deltamuH more than A23187 and nigericin + valinomycin at equivalent respiratory rate. A23187 is very efficient in stimulating respiration with negligible deltamuH changes.