[Effect of the cytotoxin of Central Asia cobra venom on the functional state of rat liver mitochondria].

A study was made of the action of various concentrations of cytotoxin (C), free of phospholipase A admixtures, on the respiration, oxidative phosphorylation of the rat liver mitochondria and their "ghosts", and also on the permeability of their internal membranes for various ions. Low C concentrations (10--25 micrometer) failed to influence the functional parameters of the intact mitochondria, but sharply increased the permeability of the internal membranes for monovalent ions. Apparently the uncoupling action of C on the mitochondrial "ghosts" was caused by the formation in the membrane of nonspecific conductivity "canals" with poor selectivity to the ion size and charge.