Spectroscopic study of hydroxyproline transport in rat kidney mitochondria

Hydroxyproline uptake by rat kidney mitochondria is here first shown by monitoring the reduction of the intramitochondrial pyridine nucleotides which occurs as a result of metabolism of imported hydroxyproline via hydroxyproline oxidase and 3-hydroxy-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase. Widely used criteria for demonstrating the occurrence of carrier-mediated transport were applied to this process. Hydroxyproline uptake shows saturation features (Km and Vmax values, measured at 20 degrees C and at pH 7.20, were found to be about 1.4 mM and 5 nmoles/min x mg mitochondrial protein, respectively) and proves to be inhibited by the impermeable compound phenylsuccinate, but insensitive to externally added methylglutamate. Difference found in the Km and Vmax values, a different inhibitor sensitivity and the failure of hydroxyproline to cause efflux of glutamate from the mitochondria show that hydroxyproline enters mitochondria by means of a translocator different from those which transport proline.