Palmitoyl-CoA inhibits the mitochondrial inner membrane anion-conducting channel.

Palmitoyl-CoA is shown here to inhibit the pH-dependent anion-conducting channel (IMAC) in the inner membrane of rat liver mitochondria, with half-maximal inhibition at 2.4 microM. It has little effect on the transport of ribose, thiocyanate and glutamate. Palmitic acid and palmitoyl-carnitine stimulate the entry of all the above metabolites. CoASH and carnitine have no effect on chloride uniport. Palmitoyl-CoA and the IMAC may have a role in controlling thermogenesis in liver mitochondria.