The interaction of tributyltin with the mitochondrial calcium transport system of rat liver

Triphenyltin as inductor of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition

The effect of triphenyltin on mitochondrial Ca2+ content was studied. It was found that this trialkyltin compound induces an increase in membrane permeability that leads to Ca2+ release, drop of the transmembrane potential, and efflux of matrix proteins. Interestingly, cyclosporin A was unable to inhibit triphenyltin-induced Ca2+ release. Based on these results it is proposed that the hyperpermeable state is produced by modification of 2.25 nmol of membrane thiol groups.

Mechanisms by which mitochondria transport calcium

It has been firmly established that the rapid uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria from a wide range of sources is mediated by a uniporter which permits transport of the ion down its electrochemical gradient. Several mechanisms of Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria have also been extensively discussed in the literature. Energized mitochondria must expend a significant amount of energy to transport Ca2+ against its electrochemical gradient from the matrix space to the external space. Two separate mechanisms have been found to mediate this outward transport: a Ca2+/nNa+ exchanger and a Na(+)-independent efflux mechanism. These efflux mechanisms are considered from the perspective of available energy. In addition, a reversible Ca2(+)-induced increase in inner membrane permeability can also occur. The induction of this permeability transition is characterized by swelling of the mitochondria, leakiness to small ions such as K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, and loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. It has been suggested that the permeability transition and its reversal may also function as a mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux mechanism under some conditions. The characteristics of each of these mechanisms are discussed, as well as their possible physiological functions.

Inability of tributyltin-induced chloride/hydroxyl exchange to stimulate calcium transport in mitochondria isolated from flight muscle of the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina

Tributyltin in the concentration range 1-4mum failed to stimulate Ca(2+) transport by Lucilia flight-muscle mitochondria in a medium containing KCl and respiratory substrate but devoid of P(i), despite its promotion of a rapid Cl(-)/OH(-) exchange. When 2mm-P(i) was present, concentrations of tributyltin greater than 1mum inhibited the initial rate of Ca(2+) transport and induced efflux of the ion from the mitochondria in Cl(-)- or NO(3) (-)-containing media. Lower concentrations had little effect. Oligomycin added at up to 10mug/mg of mitochondrial protein had no effect on Ca(2+) transport. By contrast, approx. 0.3mum-tributyltin completely inhibited respiration supported by alpha-glycerophosphate in either the presence or absence of added ADP. The data suggest that tributyltin can inhibit Ca(2+) transport in Lucilia flight-muscle mitochondria other than by facilitating a Cl(-)/OH(-) exchange or producing an oligomycin-like effect.