mitoparaquat

Mitoparaquat (MPQ) is a mitochondria-targeted redox cycler designed to selectively generate superoxide within the mitochondrial matrix. It consists of a paraquat (methyl viologen) moiety conjugated to a lipophilic triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation, which facilitates its accumulation across the mitochondrial inner membrane driven by the membrane potential. Once inside the mitochondria, it undergoes redox cycling at the flavin site of Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), leading to the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), specifically superoxide. It is primarily used as a research tool to study the role of mtROS in various pathological conditions, including epilepsy, neurodegeneration, and astrogliosis, by mimicking mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Other names

Mito-Paraquat