Inhibition of Adenosine Triphosphatase Activity

Triphenylsulphonium ions inhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphatase activity. The site of action is on the soluble F1 adenosine triphosphatase component. Triphenylsulphonium ions also inhibit electron transfer in the NAD-cytochrome b region of the respiratory chain. In both types of inhibition, triphenylsulphonium ions are effective at low concentrations, half-maximal inhibition being produced by a concentration of about 20-30pM. These effects resemble the effects of alkylguanidines on mitochondria and are discussed in relation to the effects of alkylguanidines and other lipophilic cations such as ethidium and dibenzyldimethylammonium ions. A modification of the purification procedure for the soluble mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase [Beechey, Hubbard, Linnett, Mitchell & Munn (1975) Biochem. J. 148, 533-537] is described, which yields a preparation with a higher specific activity and showing fewer bands in gel electrophoresis.