flourocitrate is a potent inhibitor of what enzyme in the ci

flourocitrate is a potent inhibitor of what enzyme in the citric acid cycle?

Solution

Answer:

Fluorocitrate is a potent inhibitor of aconitase, the enzyme that catalyzes the next reaction of the citric acid cycle.

By inhibiting aconitase, fluorocitrate prevents the citric acid cycle from operating. This prevents the oxidation of acetyl-CoA and dramatically reduces the yield of ATP from carbohydrate and lipid catabolism. The resulting drop in ATP levels is lethal.