INCREASE IN [-H+ E(-) RATIO OF THE CYTOCHROME-C-OXIDASE REACTION IN MITOCHONDRIA IRRADIATED WITH HELIUM-NEON LASER/

In order to gain a degree of insight into the mitochondrial component/ s responsible of the mitochondria-red light interaction, isolated rat liver mitochondria were irradiated with a Helium-Neon laser (energy do se 2 Joules/cm(2), light power 10 mW) and measurements made of the act ivity of cytochrome c oxidase. A low, but statistically significant in crease in the oxygen uptake was found, as polarographically measured, in the presence of rotenone and antimycin A with ascorbate and TMPD us ed as substrate pair. Measurements were also made both of the electron transfer and of proton pumping activity: as a result of a major stimu lation in the proton pumping activity, about 55 % increase of <--H+/e( -) ratio was found in irradiated mitochondria.