Reduction of respiratory-chain cytochrome b by lactate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cytochrome b of yeast mitochondria can be reduced by a part of the electrons resulting from the oxidation of lactate enantiomers. 1. The respiration of D-lactate and L-lactate is 30-40% inhibited by antimycin A. 2. Reduction of cytochrome b is observed in submitochondrial particles in the presence of low concentration of D-lactate and L-lactate (half-optimal concentration of 4.7 mM and 2.4 mM respectively) in the presence of different bc1 inhibitors. 3. Reduction of cytochrome b and c1 occurs in purified complex III of yeast in the presence of L-lactate and added L-lactate: NAD+ oxidoreductase. 4. In the particles obtained from yeast grown in lactate the oxidation of L-lactate involves the reduction of a pigment absorbing at 558 nm.