Effects of anthralin on mitochondrial bioenergetics

Isolated mitochondria were used to determine what causes anthralin inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. In good agreement with other results, the rate of oxygen consumption was not modified by anthralin when mitochondria were first uncoupled with FCCP, suggesting that only the last steps of the process leading to ATP phosphorylation are implicated. No effects were found at the level of the ATPase and the Pi carrier in contrast with a competitive inhibition of the ADP/ATP translocator. These experiments suggest an atractyloside-like effect to explain the action of anthralin on mitochondria.