[35S]thiosulphate oxidation by rat liver mitochondria in the presence of glutathione.

1. Rat liver mitochondria incubated in oxygen with glutathione and [(35)S]-thiosulphate produced labelled sulphate. 2. Inner-labelled thiosulphate (S.(35)SO(3))(2-) was converted into [(35)S]sulphate more rapidly than outer-labelled thiosulphate ((35)S.SO(3))(2-). 3. Thiosulphate labelled in both sulphur atoms was formed during ((35)S.SO(3))(2-) oxidation; the outer sulphur atom before oxidation to sulphate was incorporated into the inner position. 4. A thiosulphate cycle in the metabolic pathway of sulphate formation in animal tissues is discussed.