Abstract
Summary
A procedure is described for the preparation of sheets of squamous epithelium from the cheek pouch of the Syrian golden hamster. The use of these sheets for the isolation of a mitochondrial fraction capable of coupled respiration is demonstrated. These mitochondria were compared to hamster liver mitochondria with respect to respiratory capacity, enzymatic activity, and cytochrome content. Squamous epithelial mitochondria exhibited increased rote-none-insensitive NADH cytochrome c re-ductase activity, while the activities of succi-nate cytochrome c reductase, oligomycin-sensitive ATPase, and cytochrome oxidase decreased. The ratios of cytochromes c/a + a3 and b/a + a3 were lower in squamous epithelial mitochondria.
The uncoupler, dinitrophenol (DNP), stimulated oxygen consumption of both mitochondrial preparations. In contrast to liver mitochondria, the ATPase of squamous epithelial mitochondria was not stimulated by DNP.
The author wishes to thank Dr. Ernst L. Wynder for bringing his attention to this problem and for his many helpful discussions and also to thank Ms. Pris-cilla Tambone for her outstanding technical assistance.
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