Interaction between oxidative decarboxylation of branched chain α-keto acids and oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria

Abstract

Oxidation of [1- 14C]-α-ketoisocaproate to yield 14CO 2 has been studied in respiring rat liver mitochondria. So long as oxidative phosphorylation proceeds the rate of decarboxylation is low. When ATP formation from added ADP is completed the rate of oxidative decarboxylation of α-ketoisocaproate increases abruptly. These observations indicate an inverse correlation between branched chain α-keto acid oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondria.