Calcium uptake by mitochondria isolated from muskrat and guinea pig hearts

Subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar mitochondria were isolated from the hearts of the diving muskrat and non-diving guinea pig and direct and indirect measurements of calcium uptake were examined in vitro. The calcium-stimulated respiration rate and 45Ca uptake were measured and found to be greater in muskrat than in guinea pig mitochondria. Muskrat mitochondria were able to endure a greater external calcium concentration than guinea pig mitochondria before exhibiting indications of inner membrane damage. Calcium uptake by muskrat heart mitochondria was inhibited more by 1 mmoll-1 MgCl2 than was uptake by guinea pig mitochondria. No differences were detected between the interfibrillar and subsarcolemmal populations of mitochondria within species. An increased ability to sequester calcium by mitochondria without causing them damage may aid an animal during recovery from hypoxia, ischemia or acidosis.