Estimation of ATP-dependent K(+)-channel contribution to potential-dependent potassium uptake in the rat brain mitochondria

Abstract

The effect of potassium on state 4 respiration (substrate oxidation in the absence of ADP) was investigated. It was shown that potential-dependent potassium uptake in the brain mitochondria results in mitochondrial depolarization. Taking into account depolarization effect of potassium, the contribution of the endo­genous proton leak as well as K+-uptake to the re­spiration rate was calculated. It was shown that such estimation allows the share of ATP-dependent potassium channel contribution to potential-dependent potassium uptake to be determined by polarographic method.