Dibutylchloromethyltin chloride, a potent inhibitor of electron transport in plant mitochondria [Mung beans]

• Published in: Journal of bioenergetics and biomembranes Vol. 12; no. 3-4; p. 309
• Main Authors: Moore, A L, Linnett, P E, Beechey, R B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.1980
• Subjects: Electron Transport - drug effects; Mitochondria - drug effects; Organotin Compounds - pharmacology; Oxygen Consumption - drug effects; Plants - drug effects; Plants - metabolism; Trialkyltin Compounds
• ISSN: 0145-479X; 1573-6881
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00744691

Dibutylchloromethyl tin chloride (DBCT) inhibits coupled and uncoupled respiration of mitochondria from potato tubers, cauliflower florets and etiolated mung bean hypocotyls with succinate and L-malate but not with external NADH or TMPD/ascorbate as substrates. Using potato and cauliflower mitochondria. DBCT at 200 pmole/mg of protein gives complete inhibition only in KCl-based media and at pH 6.8. DBCT has no effect on the internal pH of mung bean mitochondria, but does cause a decrease in the membrane potential. Electron transport through the alternative oxidase is not inhibited, neither is the ATP-synthase system. DBCT appears to interact with the functionally-distinct pool of ubiquinone associated with the oxidation of succinate and L-malate.