Specificity of association between linoleylcardiolipins and mitochondrial ATPase

Abstract

Mitochondrial ATPase activity decreases during the incubation of rat liver inner mitochondrial membranes in the presence of ascorbate or cysteine, due to alteration of membrane phospholipids through peroxidation reactions. A straight correlation between decrease in mitochondrial ATPase activity and the alteration of the molecular species of cardiolipins containing solely linoleic acid has been found. This correlation does not exist with other molecular species of cardiolipin or any other phospholipids present in the membrane. These results support a specificity of association between mitochondrial ATPase and linoleyl cardiolipins.