Cyanide (CED0000018)

Cyanide belongs to the other non-metal nitrides, a subclass of other non-metal organides within the inorganic compounds. It has the formula CN and an average molecular weight of 26.02 g/mol. This exogenous compound exists as a solid at room temperature. It is utilized as a biological and chemical cytochrome-c oxidase inhibitor and as a biological base (PMC8977348). Cyanide is found in or released from 30 recorded sources, including household cleaning and consumer products such as bleaching agents, perfumes within detergents and soaps, and cigar cigarettes; food, food processing and cookware involving the preparation of vinegar, food preservation, processing fish, and fermentation processes for beer; building and construction materials like tents or canopies; household items such as coins; and electrical and electronic equipment including antennas, communication cables or conductors, and discharge lamps. Cyanide acts on 34 recorded protein targets. It inhibits tyrosinase, catalase, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], glutathione reductase, and alkaline phosphatases. It also inhibits glutathione peroxidases and succinate dehydrogenases. Specifically, cyanide is an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase in the fourth complex of the electron transport chain located in the mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotic cells, where it complexes with the ferric iron atom. This binding prevents the transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen, disrupting the electron transport chain and preventing the cell from aerobically producing ATP for energy, which particularly affects tissues dependent on aerobic respiration. Health effects associated with cyanide include dizziness (PMC8710045), headache (PMC11945857, PMC8710045), nausea (PMC11945857), vomiting (PMC11945857), and loss of consciousness (PMC8710045).