The present work examined whether the ATP/ADP carrier, other than the plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein, participates in free fatty acid-mediated uncoupling of potato tuber mitochondria. The basal respiration rate of succinate-energized mitochondria was stimulated by a low concentration of palmitate (20 microM). This uncoupling was reversed by 10 microM carboxyatractyloside and by the subsequent addition of 0.1% bovine serum albumin. The decrease in membrane potential caused by palmitate was suppressed by carboxyatractyloside (1 microM) and, to a lesser degree, by bongkrekate (20 microM). GTP could also reversed this decrease via a carboxyatractyloside-independent mechanism. These results indicate that the ATP/ADP carrier, along with the plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein, participates in the protonophoric action of palmitate in potato tuber mitochondria.