MPP+

MPP+
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridin-1-ium
Other names
Cyperquat; 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridine
Identifiers
CAS Number
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 248-939-7
MeSH 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium
PubChem CID
UNII
InChI
  • InChI=1S/C12H12N/c1-13-9-7-12(8-10-13)11-5-3-2-4-6-11/h2-10H,1H3/q+1 Y
    Key: FMGYKKMPNATWHP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES
  • C[n+]1ccc(cc1)c2ccccc2
Properties
Chemical formula
C12H12N+
Molar mass 170.25 g/mol
Appearance White to beige powder
Solubility in water
10 mg/mL
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) is a positively charged organic molecule with the chemical formula C12H12N+. It is a monoaminergic neurotoxin that acts by interfering with oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria by inhibiting complex I, leading to the depletion of ATP and eventual cell death.[1]

MPP+ arises in the body as the toxic metabolite of the closely related compound MPTP. MPTP is converted in the brain into MPP+ by the enzyme MAO-B, ultimately causing parkinsonism in primates by killing certain dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra. The ability for MPP+ to induce Parkinson's disease has made it an important compound in Parkinson's research since this property was discovered in 1983.[2][3]

The chloride salt of MPP+ found use in the 1970s as an herbicide under the trade name cyperquat.[3] Though no longer in use as an herbicide, cyperquat's closely related structural analog paraquat still finds widespread usage, raising some safety concerns.

  1. ^ PubChem Compound entry on MPP+
  2. ^ Locklear M (18 May 2016). "How tainted drugs "froze" young people—but kickstarted Parkinson's research". Ars Technica.
  3. ^ a b Wolf LK (November 25, 2013). "The Pesticide Connection". Chemical & Engineering News. 91 (47): 11–15. doi:10.1021/cen-09147-cover.