Effect of mitochondria on the redox reaction between oxymyoglobin and ferricytochrome c

The effect of mitochondria on the redox reaction between oxymyoglobin (oxy- Mb) and ferricytochrome c was studied. The parameters of this reaction in t he absence of mitochondria have been investigated earlier. It is shown that the course of oxidation of oxymyoglobin by cytochrome cin the presence of mitochondria differs from that without mitochondria: no reduced cytochrome c is observed; in addition, the order of this redox reaction and its depend ence on pH and ionic strength change. The factors influencing the state of mitochondrial membrane and uncouples enhance markedly the reaction rate. Th e conclusion was drawn that mitochondria directly participate in the oxymyo globin-cytochrome c redox reaction. The possibility of this reaction in viv o under extreme conditions and during pathological processes is discussed.