DCCD inhibits proton translocation and electron flow at the second site of the mitochondrial respiratory chain

DCCD inhibits formation of a succinate-driven transmembrane pH gradient in submitochondrial particles, as shown by inhibition of fluorescence quenching of 9-aminoacridine, without concomitant inhibition of succinate oxidation. On the other hand ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase activity is inhibited by DCCD. Half-inhibition of both fluorescence quenching and ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase occur at 35 μM DCCD. The results suggest that DCCD inhibits proton pumping activity coupled to electron flow through the bc₁ complex.