The inhibition of mammalian mitochondrial NADU oxidation by chloramphenicol and its isomers and analogues

Abstract

Chloramphenicol and its isomers and analogues have been found to inhibit the oxidation of NADH, but not that of succinate, by beef heart mitochondria. They must therefore inhibit the NADH dehydrogenase segment of the respiratory chain. Chloramphenicol gave 50% inhibition at a concentration of 1 mM. The methylthio analogue of chloramphenicol inhibited NADH – coenzyme Q 6 reductase but not NADH–ferricyanide reductase. Spectrophotometric observations suggest that these inhibitors act between NADH and flavin in coupled rat liver mitochondria and between flavin and cytochrome b in uncoupled beef heart mitochondria.