Rotenone

Synthetic. Originally isolated from Lonchocarpus nicou. White to off-white solid. Soluble in DMSO (20mg/ml), ethanol (1mg/ml) or chloroform (20mg/ml). Cell-permeable reversible and competitive mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I (NADH-CoQ reductase) inhibitor (IC50=1.7-2.2?M). Inhibits NADH/DB oxidoreductase and NADH oxidase and consequently oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Specifically inhibits NAD-linked substrate oxidation of NADH dehydrogenase. Useful agent for immunometabolism research. Inhibition of electron transport chain in mitochondria leads to blocking of the transfer of electrons from iron-sulfur centers in complex I to ubiquinone. This interferes with NADH during the creation of usable cellular energy (ATP), and Complex I is unable to pass off its electron to CoQ, creating a back-up of electrons within the mitochondrial matrix. Cellular oxygen is reduced to the radical, creating reactive oxygen species, which can damage DNA and other components of the mitochondria. Shown to inhibit mammalian cell proliferation, via suppressing microtubule assembly by binding to tubulin and inhibiting autophagy induction, by blocking lysosomal degradation of autophagic vacuoles. Shown to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through production of mitochondrial ROS, consequently leading to induction of oxidative stress. Used to induce Parkinson's diseases-like syndrome in experimental animal model. Selective priming signal for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in combination with ATP, but not with Nigericin or MSU. Commonly used as a broad spectrum insecticide, piscicide and pesticide.