Characterization of the alpha-cyanocinnamate binding site in rat heart mitochondria and in submitochondrial particles

The effect of pH and substrates on the binding of radiolabelled alpha-cyanocinnamate to mitochondria and submitochondrial particles has been investigated. It has been found that the binding is strongly influenced by the pH of the medium (it decreases on increasing the pH of the medium). The inhibition of pyruvate oxidation by this inhibitor follows the same pH dependence. The pH affects only the affinity of the alpha-cyanocinnamate binding site without changing their total number. A similar pH dependence has been found in inside-out submitochondrial particles where the binding sites are directly accessible. The quantitative parameters of the binding of alpha-cyanocinnamate in submitochondrial particles have been determined. The binding can be prevented or displaced by pyruvate and other substrates of the carrier. The turnover number for pyruvate transport in rat-heart mitochondria has been determined.