[Interaction between polynucleotides and mitochondria from rat liver].

The interaction between labelled polynucleotides and the mitochondrial membrane was studied. It was shown that DNA and mRNA form a complex with the mitochondria and mitoplasts (i. e. mitochondria devoid of the outer membrane); this process does not depend on the energy state of mitochondria. Within the complex polynucleotides are accessible to the effects of nucleases. The complex formation strongly depends on the concentration of Mg2+ and is inhibited by Na+. It was found that polynucleotides are effectively bound to protein-free artificial membranes isolated from the total mitochondrial lipids. The data obtained suggest that in the presence of Mg2+ polynucleotides form a complex with the lipid components of the mitochondrial membrane.