Efflux of magnesium and potassium ions from liver mitochondria induced by inorganic phosphate and by diamide.

Addition to rat liver mitochondria of 2 mM inorganic phosphate or 0.15 mM diamide, a thiol-oxidizing agent, induced an efflux of endogenous Mg2+ linear with time and dependent on coupled respiration. No net Ca2+ release occurred under these conditions, while a concomitant release of K+ was observed. Mg2+ efflux mediated either by Pi or low concentration of diamide was completely prevented by EGTA, Ruthenium red, and NEM. These reagents also inhibited the increased rate of state 4 respiration induced both by Pi and diamide. At higher concentrations (0.4 mM), diamide induced an efflux of Mg2+ which was associated also with a release of endogenous Ca2+. Under these conditions EGTA completely prevented Mg2+ and K+ effluxes, while they were only partially inhibited by Ruthenium red and NEM. It is assumed that Mg2+ efflux, occurring at low diamide concentrations or in the presence of phosphate, is dependent on a cyclic in-and-out movement of Ca2+ across the inner mitochondrial membrane, in which the passive efflux is compensated by a continuous energy linked reuptake. This explains the dependence of Mg2+ efflux on coupled respiration, as well as the increased rate of state 4 respiration. The dependence of Mg2+ efflux on phosphate transport is explained by the phosphate requirement for Ca2+ movement.