Activation of potassium-dependent H+ efflux from mitochondria by cadmium and phenylarsine oxide.

Addition of Cd2+ or phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO) to respiring rat liver mitochondria results first in acidification of the medium (H+ efflux) followed by disappearance of H+ (discharge of the pH gradient or uncoupling). The first phase of H+ efflux is dependent upon the presence of K+ in the medium, and is not seen in the presence of valinomycin, which is consistent with the conclusion that H+ efflux is linked to membrane potential-dependent uptake of K+. These effects are abolished by low levels of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol but potentiated by excess of 2-mercaptoethanol, showing involvement of a dithiol type of group in the response. Mersalyl produces only the H+ efflux, and subsequent addition of Cd2+ of PhAsO produces collapse of the delta pH.