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The electrophoretic behaviour of mitochondria from kidney and liver of rats
Abstract:
1. The electrophoretic mobility values for mitochondria prepared from rat kidney and liver measured in 0.125m-potassium chloride-0.02m-tris, pH7.4, are: -0.78(s.e.m.+/-0.02)mu/sec./v/cm. (29 experiments) and -1.06(s.e.m.+/-0.01) mu/sec./v/cm. (21 experiments) respectively. 2. These mobility values are unaffected by washing and spontaneous swelling at 25 degrees , indicating a stable electrokinetic surface. 3. The mobility of rat-kidney mitochondria is unaffected by thyroxine-induced swelling, or by the state of hydration of the rat. 4. pH-mobility curves show similar surface ionogenic groups for kidney and liver mitochondria; their isoelectric points are pH3.9 and pH4.4 respectively.
Insights
Mitochondria from rat kidney and liver exhibit stable electrokinetic surfaces, with mobility unaffected by swelling or hydration changes. Their surface ionogenic groups are similar, with distinct isoelectric points.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Mitochondria are vital organelles involved in cellular respiration and energy production.
- Understanding the surface properties of mitochondria is crucial for comprehending their interactions within the cellular environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the electrophoretic mobility of rat kidney and liver mitochondria.
- To investigate the stability of mitochondrial surface charge under various conditions.
- To characterize the surface ionogenic groups and isoelectric points of these mitochondria.
Main Methods:
- Electrophoretic mobility measurements in potassium chloride-tris buffer at pH 7.4.
- Assessment of mobility after washing and spontaneous swelling at 25°C.
- Evaluation of mobility following thyroxine-induced swelling and varying hydration states.
- Determination of pH-mobility curves to identify surface ionogenic groups and isoelectric points.
Main Results:
- Rat kidney mitochondria showed a mobility of -0.78 μ/sec/V/cm, while liver mitochondria exhibited -1.06 μ/sec/V/cm.
- Mobility remained stable after washing and spontaneous swelling, indicating a robust electrokinetic surface.
- Rat kidney mitochondrial mobility was not affected by thyroxine-induced swelling or the rat's hydration state.
- Similar surface ionogenic groups were identified for both kidney and liver mitochondria, with isoelectric points at pH 3.9 and pH 4.4, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Rat kidney and liver mitochondria possess stable electrokinetic surfaces.
- Mitochondrial surface charge is resilient to changes induced by swelling and hydration.
- The surface chemistry of kidney and liver mitochondria shares similarities, yet they differ in their isoelectric points.