CATALYTIC AND ACTIVATING PROTONS FOLLOW DIFFERENT PATHWAYS IN THE H-ATPASE OF POTATO-TUBER MITOCHONDRIA()

The effect of some F0F1 inhibitors on the activation of the H+-ATPase by the electrochemical proton gradient was investigated in mitochondri a extracted from potato tubers. Transient activated state of the ATPas e was revealed by addition of ATP and of the detergent lauryldimethyla mine oxide (LDAO) to energized mitochondria. Venturicidin, tri-n-butyl tin and aurovertin at high concentrations did not affect the process o f Delta<(mu)over tilde>(+)(H)-activation, whereas oligomycin fully blo cked it. The results support the idea of separate pathways or binding sites for catalytic and activating protons.