The Effect of Triton X‐100 on the Respiratory Chain Enzymes of a Heart‐Muscle Preparation

Abstract

The effect of non‐ionic detergent Triton X‐100 on the respiratory chain enzymes of a heartmuscle preparation was compared with that of deoxycholate. The efficiency of the action of the detergents on the activity of membrane‐bound enzyme depends on both the detergent/protein ratio and the concentration of protein in the reaction mixture. No essential differences both in the site and the degree of inhibition or activation of enzymic activities were observed due to the action of Triton X‐100 or deoxycholate when a suitable detergent/protein ratio was applied. The usefulnes of non‐ionic detergent Triton X‐100 for the studies on several membrane‐bound enzymes is discussed.