An inhibitor that is catalytically activated by the enzyme to a transient species that irreversibly or quasi-irreversibly inhibit the enzyme. Inhibitor must first bind to the enzyme . Inhibitor must be catalyically activated, and therefore must be an acceptable substrate. This reactive species produced will irreversibly alter the enzyme and remove it permanently from the catalytic pool. Agents that bind covalently to the protein.
Agents alkylate or degrade the prosthetic heme group.
The details of the mechanism by which these compounds inactivate cytochrome P-450 remain to be defined. It is known that the irreversible inactivation of cytochrome P-450 frequently incorporates a covalent attachment of the inhibitor to the prosthetic heme group. This action will prevent a proton gradient from forming across the membrane in the mitochondria. This has profound effects on the body. This process is beneficial to many animals that hibernate.