ABSTRACT
3-Nitropropionate (3-NPA) and its derivative 2-nitropropanol have been identified in various organisms since their first isolation in 1920. 1 3-NPA is a potent toxin due to the ability of its conjugate base propionate 3-nitronate (P3N) to irreversibly inhibit mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. 2–4 Cases of livestock as well as human poisoning by 3-NPA and its derivatives have been documented. 5–7 Studies on the toxicity of 3-NPA have been intensively carried out primarily because 3-NPA induces a spectrum of symptoms like those found in Huntington disease. 8,9 It is important to consider that it is the conjugate base, P3N, that exerts toxicity and not 3-NPA, as plenty of evidence suggests.
