Role of potassium ions in nitric oxide biosynthesis by smooth muscle mitochondria

The NO-synthase activity (mtNOS) in mitochondria of uterine smooth muscle was studied. The mitochondrial localization of NO synthesis in myocytes was proved using laser confocal microscopy method and specific fluorescent probes MitoTracker Orange (specific to mitochondria) and DAFFM (NO-sensitive fluorescent probe). It was demonstrated using flow cytometry that nitric oxide biosynthesis in isolated mytochondria decreased in the presence of a constitutive NOsynthase blocker 2-aminopyridine (100 μmol per l, 50% inhibition) and monoclonal antibodies (2.5 μg anti-Let m1 per 50 μg protein) against the H+-Ca2+-exchanger (Letm1 protein), but was’t sensitive to the mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor cyclosporin A (5 μmol per l). A decrease of potassium ions concentration in the incubation medium and the presence of various types of potassium channel inhibitors significantly inhibited the NO-synthase reaction. We have concluded that potassium permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane plays important role in the regulation of mtNOS activity.