In this work the effect of the neurotoxic amino acid sequence, A
25–35, on brain mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) was studied. For the purpose, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (


m), mitochondrial respiration and the calcium fluxes were examined. It was observed that A
25–35, in the presence of Ca
2+, decreased the


m, the capacity of brain mitochondria to accumulate calcium and led to a complete uncoupling of the respiration. However, the reverse sequence of the peptide A
25–35 (A
35–25) did not promote the PTP. The alterations promoted by A
35–25 and/or Ca
2+ could be reversed when Ca
2+ was removed by EGTA or when ADP plus oligomycin were present. The pre-treatment with CsA or ADP plus oligomycin prevented the


m drop and preserved the capacity of mitochondria to accumulate Ca
2+. These results suggest that A
25–35 can promote the PTP induced by Ca
2+.
Amyloid
-peptide - permeability transition pore - brain mitochondria - mitochondrial transmembrane potential - calcium fluxes - neurodegeneration