THE EFFECT OF CYTOCHROME C UPON THE RESPIRATION OF TISSUE SLICES

Abstract

The direct method of Warburg was used to determine the effect of cytochrome C upon the respiration of tissue slices equilibrated with O2 tensions varying from 0.5-100%. The 0.5 mm. thick tissue slices were cut from the liver and heart of Wistar strain rats. Cytochrome C was added to the incubation medium in cones. = or > that found in the tissues used. Under these conditions, the presence of this respiratory enzyme had no effect upon the O2 consumption of surviving heart and liver slices equilibrated with 100% O2. The reduction in Co, induced by lowering the O2 tension was not altered by the presence of cytochrome C in the incubation medium. When such anoxic slices were restored to an atmosphere of 100% Q2, the respiration of those having cytochrome C in the medium was no different from those having no cytochrome C.