Inhibition by suramin of mitochondrial ATP synthesis

Suramin, a drug intensively used in the chemotherapy of African trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis, is currently being tested in clinical trials for AIDS treatment. Its effects on mitochondrial energy metabolism in mammals were studied. At low concentrations it inhibited ATP synthesis and ATPase activity in submitochondrial particles, as well as ADP-stimulated oxygen consumption and the uncoupler-stimulated ATPase activity in intact rat liver mitochondria. At higher concentrations it also inhibited uncoupled electron transport in both submitochondrial particles and intact mitochondria. From comparison of the kinetic patterns of those inhibitions, evidence suggesting that the adenine nucleotide translocase may be another target for the action of suramin was obtained. The relevance of these findings to the understanding of the biochemical basis of suramin toxicity is discussed.