The site of action of 2,4-dinitrophenol and salicylic acid upon the uncoupler-induced K+ efflux from non-metabolizing yeast.

Stimulation of K+ efflux from non-metabolizing yeast cells by 2,4-dinitrophenol or by salicylic acid occurs only after accumulation of the compounds into the cells, indicating that the site of action of the uncouplers is inside the cells. A correlation is found between the partition ratio of the lipophilic cation dibenzyldimethylammonium between cells and medium and the rate of K+ efflux.