What is CCCP?

Carbonyl cyanide- m-chlorophenylhydrazone, commonly referred to as CCCP, is a potent inhibitor of various biological processes that play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ions within cells and tissues. In the context of intestinal physiology, CCCP has been shown to have a significant impact on the functioning of the brush-border membrane (BBM), which is responsible for regulating the uptake of essential nutrients such as chloride ions.

Recent studies have revealed that CCCP does not act by dissipating any pre-existing pH gradient across the BBM. Instead, it directly inhibits the activities involved in maintaining this gradient, including Cl- uptake and Cl-/Cl- exchange. This mechanism of action is distinct from other agents that may affect pH gradients indirectly by disrupting the functioning of ATP-driven pumps or altering the permeability of the membrane.

The effect of CCCP on these activities was evaluated using BBM vesicles isolated from guinea pig ileum, which are a common experimental model for studying intestinal transport processes. The results showed that CCCP inhibited both Cl- uptake and Cl-/Cl- exchange to varying degrees, with a more significant impact on the latter activity.

These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ion transport across the intestinal BBM and may have potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of disorders characterized by abnormal ion balance, such as cystic fibrosis. Overall, CCCP is a valuable tool for researchers seeking to elucidate the complex interactions between ions, membranes, and biological processes that underlie normal physiology and disease pathophysiology.

What is cccp