Mn2+ prevents the Ca2+-induced inhibition of ATP synthesis in brain mitochondria.

Uptake of Ca2+ by rat brain mitochondria causes an inhibition of respiratory stimulation by ADP, and the inhibition is relieved upon Na+-induced release of Ca2+ from the mitochondria, in accordance with earlier reports. We show that simultaneous uptake of Ca2+ and Mn2+ results in no inhibition of ADP-stimulated respiration, indicating that Mn2+ prevents the Ca2+-induced inhibition of ATP synthesis, without preventing Ca2+ accumulation in the mitochondria. The results are discussed in relation to a possible involvement of the mitochondrial ATPase-inhibitor protein in the observed effects of Ca2+ and Mn2+.