The immediate uptake of potassium ion by mitochondria requiring gramicidin and 2,2-dimethylsuccinic anhydride.

The addition of 2,2-dimethylsuccinic anhydride to mitochondrial suspensions fortified with gramicidin and potassium ion but without any permeant anion caused an immediate and rapid increase in volume (as indicated by absorbance change at 520 nm) and the uptake of potassium ion (as indicated by a cation-specific electrode). The phenomena was not inhibited by rutamycin but was inhibited by either rotenone, antimycin or 2,4-dinitrophenol. Rotenone inhibition was relieved by succinate thus one of the requirements of the process was energy derived from endogenous substrates. Potassium ion could be replaced by rubidium and cesium ions but not by lithium or sodium ions. Since 2,2-dimethylsuccinate could not replace the anhydride and was not a permeant anion there must also be a requirement for the anhydride bond. The action of the anhydride on the mitochondria must be direct. Only closely related anhydrides were capable of engendering the effect of a highly effective permeant anion.