Inhibition by dithioerythritol of alloxan induced efflux of Ca2+ and accompanying alterations in isolated liver mitochondria.
Isolated mouse liver mitochondria respiring on succinate released Ca2+ when incubated with alloxan, accompanied by decreased membrane potential, stimulated state 4 respiration and swelling. All these effects of alloxan were inhibited by equimolar or higher concentrations of dithioerythritol (DTE), and in presence of added ATP a carboxyatractyloside-sensitive reuptake of Ca2+ was observed. The process of release and uptake of Ca2+ could be repeated by additional administrations of higher concentrations of alloxan and DTE plus ATP, respectively. The data suggest that the mitochondrial action of alloxan involves oxidation of membrane thiol groups.
D000496:Alloxan / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004226:Dithioerythritol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000502:physiology
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D004226:Dithioerythritol; D000496:Alloxan; D002118:Calcium; D004229:Dithiothreitol