title: Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux mechanism of heart mitochondria is not a passive Ca2+/2Na+ exchanger.
abstract: Net Ca2+ flux across the inner membrane of respiring heart mitochondria was evaluated under conditions in which virtually all Ca2+ movement can be attributed to the Na+/Ca2+ antiport. If this antiport promotes a passive electroneutral exchange of Ca2+ for 2Na+, the Ca2+ gradient should be equal to the square of the Na+ gradient at equilibrium. Because the mitochondrial Na+/H+ antiport equilibrates the Na+ and H+ gradients, the Ca2+ gradient should also equal the square of the H+ gradient. In a series of > 20 determinations at different matrix [Ca2+], different delta pH, and varying membrane potential, it was found that Ca2+ is transported out of the mitochondrion against gradients from 15- to 100-fold greater than the value predicted for passive electroneutral exchange. It is concluded that the observed gradients are too large to be sustained by passive Ca2+/2Na+ exchange. The observed gradients are compatible with an electrogenic Ca2+/3Na+ exchange. Alternatively another source of energy is available to support these gradients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baysal
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Gunter
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Gunter
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Brierley
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D016257:Fura-2; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008929:Mitochondria, Heart / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012964:Sodium / Q000502:physiology*; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; D012964:Sodium; D002118:Calcium; D016257:Fura-2