The mitochondrial membrane permeability transition induced by inorganic phosphate or inorganic arsenate. A comparative study.

The membrane permeability transition (MPT) induced by Ca2+ and Pi or Asi was studied in rat kidney mitochondria. Membrane potential, Ca2+ transport and swelling were used to monitor the MPT. Asi promoted a faster and more extensive collapse of membrane potential, Ca2+ release and swelling than Pi. The MPT induced by Pi was fully blocked by Mg(2+)+ADP, spermine+ADP, Mg(2+)+ cyclosporin A (CSA), and ADP+CSA. In contrast, the MPT induced by Asi was only prevented, although not completely, by CSA+Mg2+ or ADP+CSA. Asi, but not Pi, was able to cause collapse of membrane potential in the presence of Sr2+. Carboxyatractyloside (CAT) produced collapse of membrane potential at a lower concentration in the presence of Asi+Ca(2+)+ADP than with Pi+Ca(2+)+ADP. The addition of Pi+Ca2+ to [14C]-ADP loaded mitochondria brought about a greater ADP release than Asi+Ca2+. The ADP release was CAT-sensitive with Pi but it was only partially blocked by Asi. The diminution of external pH did not inhibit the MPT induced by Pi or Asi. The results of this study suggest that the adenine nucleotide translocase does not have an essential role in the MPT induced by Asi+Ca2+.