Effect of hyperthermia on electron transport in ehrlich ascites tumor mitochondria

The effect of hyperthermia (1 hr, 41°C) on the functional properties of Ehrlich ascites tumor mitochondria was investigated. Mitochondria isolated from Ehrlich ascites tumor after exposure of whole cells to 41°C for 1 hr still phosphorylate and maintain a normal acceptor control ratio (ACR). The temperature decreases state 4 and ADP- and FCCP-stimulated respiration on various substrates entering at three energy-conserving sites of the respiratory chain. The inhibition of oxygen consumption by NAD- and FAD-linked substrates was 40% for state 4 and 70% for ADP- or FCCP-stimulated respiration. State 4 and FCCP-stimulated respiration of mitochondria on TMPD + ascorbate was affected 38% and 45%, respectively. ATPase activity was unaffected by hyperthermia, indicating that under these experimental conditions, the inhibition of ADP-stimulated respiration does not depend on an effect on either Fo F₄-ATPase or adenine translocase, the activity of which is required for ATP entry prior to ATPase activity. Because of the inability to detect a specific site of action of temperature, it is conceivable that hyperthermia might inhibit substrate oxidation by altering some components of the inner mitochondrial membrane, which regulates the kinetic properties of the membrane-associated enzymes.