[Changes in K+ transport in the liver mitochondria of gophers in hibernation].

Liver mitochondria of awake and hibernating squirrels maintain the same amount of K+ due to a decrease of K+-permeability during hibernation. The rates of DNP-stimulated K+-efflux and respiration-dependent K+-influx in mitochondria are diminished during hibernation. A two-fold increasing of K+-content and activation of K+-transport are observed at the arousing. Variations of K+-transport in mitochondria correspond to the changes in the channel-formed activity of K+-transporting protein isolated from the liver of this animals. This activity is maximal during arousal and is least during hibernation.