Aspartate, glutamate, serine and glycine all permeate the inner membrane of mitochondria isolated from both etiolated and green plant tissues. No significant difference was found in the transport characteristics shown by mitochondria from either tissue. Influx of each amino acid appears diffusional because substrate saturation was not observed and there was no indication of specific inhibition or a requirement for a compensatory or counter ion for uptake. In contrast, uptake of the keto acid pyruvate did appear saturable. Inhibition by α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, mersalyl and FCCP, but not valinomycin, suggests a carrier and a ΔpH mediate pyruvate transport into the matrix.
