[The effect of spermine on transport of Ca2+ ions in brain mitochondria]

The effect of spermine (50-400 microM) on the Ca-transporting system of brain mitochondria was studied. In a medium containing Mg2+ and ATP, spermine facilitates the accumulation of Ca2+ by decreasing Km of the uniporter. Spermine inhibits Na-stimulated Ca2+ efflux; this effect is dependent on the ionic strength of the medium--it is decreased when KCl concentration is increased from 20 to 120 mM. Spermine (200 microM) decreases (by 50%) the steady state concentration of Ca2+ maintained by mitochondria. The importance of spermine as a regulator of Ca2+-transport in brain mitochondria is discussed.