Anuncoupler oruncoupling agent is a molecule that disruptsoxidative phosphorylation inprokaryotes andmitochondria orphotophosphorylation inchloroplasts andcyanobacteria by dissociating the reactions of ATP synthesis from theelectron transport chain. The result is that the cell or mitochondrion expends energy to generate aproton-motive force, but the proton-motive force is dissipated before theATP synthase can recapture this energy and use it to makeATP. Because the intracellular supply of protons is replenished, uncouplers actually stimulate cellular metabolism and oxygen consumption (despite their inhibitory effects on oxidative phosphorylation) and increase the energy cost of generating ATP. Uncouplers are capable of transporting protons through mitochondrial and lipid membranes.
no discrimination in these actions between one coupling site and another
no discrimination between coupled processes driven by electron transfer and coupled processes driven by ATP hydrolysis
Pseudo-uncouplers show one or more of these properties, but not all, and thus must be combined with one or more other pseudo-uncouplers to achieve full uncoupling.[1]
