Properties of mitochondria isolated from herring gull salt gland

Abstract

Mitochondria have been extracted from the salt gland of the herring gull ( Larus argentatus) and were found to have normal relative amounts of cytochromes a₃, a, b, c, flavoprotein, and DPNH. The mitochondria exhibit respiratory control, energy-linked DPN reduction, and other properties in common with avian heart mitochondria. The amount of mitochondrial cytochrome c in the intact gland is estimated spectrophotometrically and found to be extremely high—43 µmoles/kg wet wt. The ADP utilization per cytochrome c per second at 37 C is 19. The efficiency of sodium transport is calculated to be 34/O₂ molecule or 8/ATP. This value is consistent with the thermodynamic limitations. Various possible mechanisms for sodium transport are considered in the light of these results.