Electron transfer across the chromaffin granule membrane

J Biol Chem. 1983 Jan 10;258(1):27-30.

Abstract

Membrane vesicles (ghosts) containing ascorbic acid were prepared from bovine chromaffin granules. When ferricyanide or ferricytochrome c were added to the external medium, a membrane potential (interior positive) developed across the ghost membrane. This membrane potential could not be elicited from ascorbate-free ghosts or by ferrocyanide added instead of ferricyanide. These results indicate that the chromaffin-granule membrane has a transmembrane electron carrier with a midpoint potential between that of ascorbate (+85 mV) and that of cytochrome c (+255 mV). The most likely candidate is cytochrome b-561 (+140 mV).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Medulla / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone / pharmacology
  • Cattle
  • Chromaffin Granules / metabolism*
  • Chromaffin System / metabolism*
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism
  • Electron Transport / drug effects
  • Intracellular Membranes / drug effects
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Cytochrome c Group
  • Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone
  • Ascorbic Acid