286 



W. W. Wainio 



oxidase function of the phenol oxidase complex, and ascorbic acid oxidase, 

 all have copper as the functional group. 



We have now obtained evidence to show that not only is the copper 

 content of fractions prepared from heart mitochondria related to the haem 

 (as calculated from the 605 m// absorption), but that it is also related to the 

 activity of the enzyme. The latter relationship was established after it was 

 found that surface active agents reduce the activity of cytochrome c oxidase 

 and that certain phosphatides are reactivators of the enzyme (Wainio and 

 Greenlees, 1958; Greenlees and Wainio, 1959). 



Table 1. 



RELATIONSHrP OF THE COPPER CONTENT (DETERMINED SPECTROPHOTOMETRICALLY) 

 AND THE HAEM CONTENT OF CYTOCHROME C OXIDASE 



* Calculated from the AE at 605 m/t with the aid of the factor Ae 7-6 x 10^ cm^ 

 mole~^. 

 t Insoluble heart muscle preparation. 



Table 2. Relationship of the copper content (determined colorimetrically), 



THE haem content, AND THE ACTIVITY OF CYTOCHROME C OXIDASE 



* Calculated from the AE at 605 m/i with the aid of the factor Ae 7-6 X 10' cm^ mole"*. 

 t Insoluble heart muscle preparation. 

 X Activity without fraction 1. 



