Silver nitrate (CED0001206)

Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is an exogenous inorganic compound with an average molecular weight of 169.87 g/mol. It exists as a solid at room temperature and is classified as a mixed metal/non-metal compound. Silver nitrate belongs to the transition metal nitrates, a subclass of transition metal oxoanionic compounds within the inorganic compounds. The compound is utilized as an industrial dye and as a topical astringent. It is found in or released from 32 recorded sources, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals and veterinary products such as antiseptics and disinfectants; food, food processing and cookware including the processing of fish and the preparation of wine or sparkling wine; household cleaning and consumer products such as tobacco smoke filters, cigar cigarettes and bleaching agents; building and construction materials like ceilings, fencing and sunshades; and electrical and electronic equipment including antennas, amplifiers, adjustable resistors, auxiliary devices and communication cables or conductors. Silver nitrate interacts with several protein targets. The silver ion inhibits the activity of NA+,K+-ATPase, disrupting intracellular ion concentrations, affecting proteins including Sodium/potassium-transporting ATPase subunit gamma (FXYD2) and subunits alpha-1, alpha-2, and alpha-3 (ATP1A1, ATP1A2, ATP1A3). Additionally, the silver ion inhibits glutathione peroxidase activity, which disrupts selenium-catalyzed sulfhydryl oxidation-reduction reactions, impacting proteins such as Glutathione peroxidase 1, 2, 3 (GPX1, GPX2, GPX3) and Epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase (GPX5). Furthermore, nitrite causes the autocatalytic oxidation of oxyhemoglobin to hydrogen peroxide and methemoglobin, affecting Hemoglobin subunit alpha (HBA1) and beta (HBB). This elevation of methemoglobin levels leads to methemoglobinemia, a condition characterized by tissue hypoxia.