Factors influencing the inactivation of phosphate-dependent glutaminase in the matrix fraction of rat liver mitochondria.

1. The activity of phosphate-dependent glutaminase was measured in a matrix extract of essentially lysosome-free liver mitochondria. 2. ATP, GTP or a non-hydrolysable analogue of ATP stimulated the rapid inactivation of glutaminase, but not of other matrix enzymes. 3. Glutaminase was protected against inactivation if high concentrations of glutamine or low concentrations of NH3 were present. 4. Inactivation of glutaminase in the presence of ATP did not markedly affect the reaction of the enzyme with a specific polyclonal antiserum. 5. These results in a mitochondrial extract are similar to the characteristics of glutaminase inactivation in intact hepatocytes, suggesting a similar mechanism in each case. 6. The presence of a specific ATP-activated protease in the mitochondrial matrix is suggested to be responsible for glutaminase inactivation.