The active form of the enzyme is inhibited by citrate analogs, and fluoracetate. Other inhibitors include oxidative stress agents such as peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, which inactivate the enzyme by changing the [4Fe-4S] to a [3Fe-4S] cluster. Therefore, aconitase is considered a good marker of mitochondrial and cellular oxidative stress. This inhibition of mitochondrial aconitase can lead to a decreased energy production, whereas in cytosolic aconitase it triggers binding of the enzyme to mRNA iron response elements resulting in increased expression of iron uptake proteins and decreased transcription of iron sequestering protein.A hydroxyl scavenging solution (Aconitase preservation solution) is supplied with this kit to maintain aconitase activity during sample preparation.