Phospholipase C treatment of mitochondria.

Heavy beef heart mitochondria depleted of phospholipids by treatment with phospholipase C followed by removal of the by products by lipase treatment or sonication in pentane were analyzed by electron microscopy, chemical analysis and assays of enzymatic activities. The results indicate that diglycerides are present after phospholipase C treatment and are inhibitors of NADH-cytochrome c reductase. After removal of diglycerides with lipase treatment, a phospholipid requirement for NADH-cytochrome c reductase could be demonstrated.