Question

The proton conductor CCCP (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone) transports protons across lipid bilayers. What is the effect adding CCCP to a suspension of respiring mitochondria on the consumption of oxygen and ATP synthesis? Justify your conclusion.

Answer 1

The effect adding CCCP to a suspension of respiring mitochondria on the consumption of oxygen and ATP synthesis is explained below:

Uncoupling of the respiratory chain from ATP synthesis occurs by the addition of CCCP, which abolishes the electrochemical gradient. So CCCP acts as an uncoupling agent.

The addition of CCCP to cells respiring under the availability of succinate results in high levels of oxygen consumption due to the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation

ATP synthase activity requires an electrochemical gradient and the substrates, ADP and Pi, for the production of ATP. Consistent with this, ATP synthesis is not supported in the absence of an electrochemical gradient, resulting from the omission of respiratory chain substrates or the addition of the uncoupling agent, CCCP.

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