[Effect of normal saturated fatty acids on rat liver mitochondria]

Comparative study of the effect normal saturated carboxulic acids of different carbon chain length (7-16 carbon atoms) on rat liver mitochondria respiration at 3 and 4 states (according to Chance) has revealed that these compounds are protonophores. The data on the dependence of the effect on the concentration of fatty acids suggest that the protein transfer through the mitochondrial membrane is carried out by a monomeric form, and the inhibitory effect is due to a dimeric form of these compounds. Inhibitory and activating properties of fatty acids are described by a theoretically deducted equation, which demonstrates similar activity for highest homologues, in spite of differences in their distribution coefficients between aqueous and lipid phases. It is also concluded that the same effect is due to the same molar concentration of fatty acid in the mitochondrial membrane.