Subcellular localization of adrenal cortical glutathione peroxidase and protective role of the mitochondrial enzyme against lipid peroxidative damage.

In view of the physiological importance of adrenocortical lipid peroxidation, we have carried out subcellular fractionation to determine the location of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme which protects against lipid peroxidation. Glutathione peroxidase is present in both cytosolic (92%) and mitochondrial (8%) fractions. The small activity in mitochondria is not due to contamination by the cytosolic activity as evidenced by several rigorous approaches. The mitochondrial enzyme is located in the matrix and appears to be effective in protection from NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidative damage of cytochrome P-450 and succinic dehydrogenase, which are located exclusively in the inner membrane.