An uncoupler or uncoupling agent is a molecule that disrupts
oxidative phosphorylation in
prokaryotes and
mitochondria or
photophosphorylation in
chloroplasts and
cyanobacteria by dissociating the reactions of ATP synthesis from the
electron transport chain. The result is that the cell or mitochondrion expends energy to generate a
proton-motive force, but the proton-motive force is dissipated before the
ATP synthase can recapture this energy and use it to make
ATP. Because the intracellular supply of protons is replenished, uncouplers actually stimulate cellular metabolism. 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]
Classical uncouplers
The following compounds are known to be classical uncouplers:[1][2]