The mitochondrial outer membrane separates the intermembrane space from the cytosol. The whole exchange of metabolites, cations and information between mitochondria and the cell occurs through the outer membrane. Experimental evidence is reviewed supporting the hypothesis of dynamic ADP compartmentation within the intermembrane space. The outer membrane creates a diffusion barrier for small molecules (adenine nucleotides, creatine phosphate, creatine etc.) causing rate-dependent concentration gradients as a prerequisite for the action of ADP shuttles via creatine kinases or adenylate kinases. If the outer membrane becomes leaky, cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor can be released, leading to apoptosis, and as a bioenergetic consequence the cytosolic phosphorylation potential decreases. Leaky outer membranes can be detected in saponin-skinned fibres with spectrophotometric and oxygraphic methods. This is of special interest in respect to acute impairment of mitochondria during ischaemia/reperfusion.
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February 2000
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Conference Article|
February 01 2000
Function of the mitochondrial outer membrane as a diffusion barrier in health and diseases
F. N. Gellerich;
F. N. Gellerich
*Muskellabor der Neurologischen Klinik der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Julius-Kühn-Str. 7, D-06097 Halle/Saale, Germany
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S. Trumbeckaite;
S. Trumbeckaite
*Muskellabor der Neurologischen Klinik der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Julius-Kühn-Str. 7, D-06097 Halle/Saale, Germany
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J. R. Opalka;
J. R. Opalka
*Muskellabor der Neurologischen Klinik der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Julius-Kühn-Str. 7, D-06097 Halle/Saale, Germany
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E. Seppet;
E. Seppet
†Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu, 18 Ülikooli St., EE-2400 Tartu, Estonia
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H. N. Rasmussen;
H. N. Rasmussen
‡Department of Biochemistry, The August Krogh Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetspparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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C. Neuhoff;
C. Neuhoff
§Institut für Klinische Pathophysiologie und Experimentelle Medizin im Zentrum für Innere Medizin der Universität Giessen, Klinikstr. 36, D-35385 Giessen, Germany
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S. Zierz
S. Zierz
*Muskellabor der Neurologischen Klinik der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Julius-Kühn-Str. 7, D-06097 Halle/Saale, Germany
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 06 1999
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2000 Biochemical Society
2000
Biochem Soc Trans (2000) 28 (2): 164–169.
Article history
Received:
August 06 1999
Citation
F. N. Gellerich, S. Trumbeckaite, J. R. Opalka, E. Seppet, H. N. Rasmussen, C. Neuhoff, S. Zierz; Function of the mitochondrial outer membrane as a diffusion barrier in health and diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 1 February 2000; 28 (2): 164–169. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0280164
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