8. You have discovered a novel compound (whoosh), which is an inhibitor of mitochondrial ATP synthesis. You observe that when wh
oosh is added to cells or isolated mitochondria, the NAD /NADH ratio decreases (that is, NADH accumulates). Do you think that whoosh is an uncoupling agent, an inhibitor of respiratory electron transfer, or an inhibitor of the F1Fo ATP synthase
Whoosh is an inhibitor of the f1fo ATP synthase. ATP synthase is an enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of ATP in the mitochondria through the process of oxidative phosphorylation, by using energy from the transmembrane electrochemical proton gradient along the respiratory chain.
ATP synthase is made up of two main subunits called the F0 and F1. These subunits allow for ATP production through their rotational mechanisms.
Various synthetic and natural inhibitors of ATP synthase have been used to study the structure and mechanism of ATP synthase. These inhibitors cause the decrease in the NAD/NADH ratio. They include; polypeptides, organotin compounds, cationic inhibitors, amino acid modifiers, oligomycin and peptide inhibitors.
