The role of lipid peroxidation in the induction of cation transport in rat liver mitochondria

Lipid peroxidation in mitochondria induced by Fe2+ in the presence of ascorbate or by cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of phosphate results in a drop of the membrane potential and in K+ efflux. The inhibitors of ATP-synthetase (oligomycin and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)) are capable of preventing lipid peroxidation, stabilizing the membrane potential and inhibiting potassium efflux. The same effects are observed in the presence of ionol or alpha-tocopherol. In contrast to antioxidant protection the effects of oligomycin and DCCD are reversed by the uncoupler (FCCP). The functional link between non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation, proton conduction through Fo component of ATP-synthetase and induced cation transport is suggested.