Inhibition of the mitochondrial oxidation of octanoate by salicylic acid and related compounds

Abstract

Abstract The inhibition of mitochondrial octanoate oxidation in vitro by salicylic acid (1mm), 2,4-dinitrophenol (0·05mm) and γ-resorcylic acid (2mm) was studied. Concentrations of salicylate and 2,4-dinitrophenol markedly inhibiting the mitochondrial oxidation of octanoate did not significantly affect the mitochondrial oxidation of octanoylcarnitine. All three compounds (0·4mm) inhibited a partially purified preparation of medium chain-length acyl-CoA synthetase from ox liver mitochondria. It is suggested that at least part of the ininhibition of mitochondrial oxidation by salicylic and γ-resorcylic acids in vitro in the concentration ranges studied is caused by the direct inhibition of the medium chain length acyl-CoA synthetase.