Interaction of tetrachlorobiphenyls with isolated rat liver mitochondria.

A comparative study of the effects of tetrachlorobiphenyls (TCBs) on the succinate-supported respirations of rat liver mitochondria was made, and some differences in effects caused by the different chlorine positions of the biphenyl rings were clarified. The inhibitory actions of 2,3,2',3'-,2,4,2',4'-, and 2,5,2',5'-TCBs on both state 3 and uncoupler-stimulated respirations were potent, while those induced by 2,6,2',6'-, and 3,4,3',4'-TCBs were weak. 2,3,2',3'-,2,4,2',4'-,2,5,2',5'-, and 2,6,2',6'-TCBs stimulated state 4 respiration, but 3,4,3',4'-TCB had very little effect on this respiration. The latent adenosine triphosphatase activity was stimulated by 2,3,2',3'-,2,4,2',4'-, and 2,5,2',5'-TCBs, but 2,6,2',6'-, and 3,4,3',4'-TCBs had no effects. The relationship between these effects and chemical structure of TCBs is discussed.