Interactions of FK 506 with renal cortical mitochondria have been investigated by measuring respiration, ATP net uptake and Ca2+/Pi-induced swelling. Both FK 506 and cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibit the succinate-supported state 3 and uncoupled respiration and are without effect on the glutamate/malate-supported state 3 and uncoupled respiration. FK 506, like CsA, inhibits net uptake of ATP, but, in contrast to CsA, is without effect on Ca2+/Pi-induced swelling.