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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Biochemistry and Chemical Biology Forum => Topic started by: aresthemetalman on December 13, 2011, 11:33:33 AM

Title: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: aresthemetalman on December 13, 2011, 11:33:33 AM
I'm trying to search on internet this information, but I'm not find more information.
I know 2,4-dinitrophenol, Dicoumarol and Thyroxine (T4).
Any other???

(I apologize for my basic English because it's not my language, but I hope in interesting answer)
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: fledarmus on December 13, 2011, 02:01:00 PM
Uncoupling agents? I don't recognize that term. Could you try another, even if it is in your language, or give an example of the reaction you are considering?
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: aresthemetalman on December 13, 2011, 03:19:52 PM
an agent that opposed to Krebs cycle and the recharging of ATP
Like 2,4-dinitrophenol that it is a cellular metabolic poison. It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by carrying protons across the mitochondrial membrane, leading to a rapid consumption of energy without generation of ATP.
I've explane better now?
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: CaverKat on December 30, 2011, 11:28:05 PM
The family of "Uncoupling Proteins."  Some information on homologues... this should get you started:
http://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?q=thermogenesis+uncoupling+protein-1&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: Arkcon on December 31, 2011, 09:01:28 AM
Try a catalog from a vendor of biochemical reagents, like Sigma or some other one.  Look up one of your top three decouplers,  in the index.  Often, these catalogs group them all together.  If there are other common ones for sale, they'll be there.
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: qw098 on May 11, 2012, 02:14:20 PM
What exactly is a coupling agent?
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: Babcock_Hall on May 14, 2012, 11:42:23 AM
In general lipophilic weak acids can act as uncoupling agents.  FCCP, which is carbonyl cyanide-para-trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone  I have even heard it said that Tris buffer is a weak uncoupler.

UCP1 is an uncoupling protein that is also called thermogenin.
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: Arkcon on May 14, 2012, 12:04:24 PM
What exactly is a coupling agent?

There aren't any, really.  This is just biotech jargon -- the oxidative pathway, a series of enzymes that re-oxidises NADH (and other reduced molecules) with the ultimate goals of extracting energy and reducing oxygen to water (you know, the reason terrestrial animals breathe?) is said to "coupled" to a H+ dependent ATPase, to convert the potential energy into ATP, which cells use for later energy use.  This "proton gradient" exists between two sides of a mitochondrial membrane, several of the proteins being embedded in this membrane.  De-couplers cause this membrane to be "leaky", allowing this gradient to be lost without being used to make ATP.  They're good ways to understand the process, or kill things, or help people lose weight ... sometimes all 3.
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: fledarmus on May 14, 2012, 01:52:07 PM
What exactly is a coupling agent?

There aren't any, really.  

Unless you're an organic chemist working with amino acids, in which case they are compounds added to activate the carboxylic acid to couple with amines. DCC and HATU are examples.
Title: Re: A complete list of uncoupling agents?
Post by: Arkcon on May 14, 2012, 02:05:47 PM
What exactly is a coupling agent?

There aren't any, really.  

Unless you're an organic chemist working with amino acids, in which case they are compounds added to activate the carboxylic acid to couple with amines. DCC and HATU are examples.

Well yes, of course, "coupling" is used in a variety of senses, even locomotive train cars "couple" and "de-couple".  But in the biochemical sense, this ancient thread has been resurrected over some bizarre semantics.