1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) is a synthetic, cationic pyridinium compound that acts as a potent, selective neurotoxin for dopaminergic neurons and is most widely recognized as the active metabolite of MPTP, a compound that causes Parkinsonian pathology in animal models and humans. It achieves its neurotoxic effects through uptake by the dopamine transporter into neurons where it inhibits mitochondrial complex I, leading to oxidative phosphorylation inhibition, ATP depletion, production of reactive oxygen species, and dopaminergic cell death. This selectivity and the induction of Parkinson-like symptoms have made MPP+ a central tool in research on Parkinson's disease mechanisms. MPP+ has also been used historically as a herbicide (as cyperquat), though this use has been discontinued due to toxicity concerns[1][2][4][5][6][7].

Brand names

cyperquat

Other names

N-methyl-4-phenylpyridiniumN-methyl4-phenylpyridiniumN-methyl 4-phenylpyridiniumN-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodideN-methyl4-phenylpyridinium iodideN-methyl 4-phenylpyridinium iodide1-methyl-4-phenylpyridin-1-ium1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ionMPP iodide