Uneven distribution of phospholipids in rat liver inner mitochondrial membranes

Abstract

Uneven Distribution of Phospholipids in Rat Liver Inner Mitochondrial Membranes. Rev. esp. Fisiol., 30, 191-198. 1974.

Ultrasonic treatment of rat liver mitochondria followed by centrifugation in a discontinuous sucrose gradient gave rise to three subfractions. The sediment contained enzyme markers of inner membrane and of mitochondrial matrix; the subfraction present at the interface between 1.32 M and 0.76 M sucrose layers contained the totality of monoamine oxidase, the enzyme marker of outer membrane, and part of the enzyme activities belonging to inner membranes. The soluble subfraction contained almost exclusively enzymes of the matrix. The fragments belonging to the inner membrane obtained at the interface had a high proportion of unsaturated phospho­ lipids, mainly phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin together with a high activity of ATPase and of cytochrome oxidase.