The role of mitochondria in modifying calcium-sensitive cytoplasmic metabolic activities. Modification of pyruvate kinase activity

Abstract

1. The modification of pyruvate kinase activity in vitro was examined by altering the environmental [Mg²⁺]/[Ca²⁺] ratio with EDTA on the one hand and isolated rat liver mitochondria on the other. 2. Controlled additions of Ca²⁺ and EDTA caused pyruvate kinase activity to be alternately and rapidly switched on and off. 3. By being able to accumulate Ca²⁺ in preference to Mg²⁺ rat liver mitochondria were able to alter the [Mg²⁺]/[Ca²⁺] ratio in the vicinity of pyruvate kinase and thereby modify the activity of this enzyme. 4. The possible role of mitochondria in modifying pyruvate kinase and other ion-sensitive cytoplasmic enzyme activities is discussed.