mitochondrial electron transport

Ammonium formate (Formic acid ammonium salt) is the simplest carboxylic acid. Formate is an intermediate in normal metabolism. It is responsible for both metabolic acidosis and disrupting mitochondrial electron transport and energy production by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase activity, the terminal electron acceptor of the electron transport chain. Cell death from cytochrome oxidase inhibition by formate is believed to result partly from depletion of ATP, reducing energy concentrations so that essential cell functions cannot be maintained. Furthermore, inhibition of cytochrome oxidase by formate may also cause cell death by increased production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) secondary to the blockade of the electron transport chain.

Rotenone (Rotocide) is a natural product and a botanical insecticide. Rotenone is a mitochondrial electron transport complex I inhibitor that promotes the production of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria and induces apoptosis.

HQNO is a natural product isolated from P. aeruginosa,and is a potent inhibitor of electron transport chain(Kd of 64 nM for complex III). It also is a potent mitochondrial NDH-2 inhibitorin many species.