Alternative oxidase (AOX):
The alternative oxidase (AOX) is an enzyme that forms part of the electron transport chain in mitochondria of different organisms. Proteins homologous to the mitochondrial oxidase have also been identified in bacterial genomes.
The alternative oxidase (AOX) is an enzyme that forms part of the electron transport chain in mitochondria of different organisms . Proteins homologous to the mitochondrial oxidase have also been identified in bacterial genomes.
The oxidase provides an alternative route for electrons passing through the electron transport chain to reduce oxygen. However, as several proton-pumping steps are bypassed in this alternative pathway, activation of the oxidase reduces ATP generation. This enzyme was first identified as a distinct oxidase pathway from cytochrome c oxidase as the alternative oxidase is resistant to inhibition by the poison cyanide.
Alternative oxidase (AOX) is present in plants, but is absent in mammals. But it has been expressed in vivo in the mouse and they find that there are no deleterious effects at least in that animal. It remains unknown whether AOX will behave as well when expressed in humans.
Following article may be of some use for you: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15592324.2016.1256530
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