Specific nitration of tyrosines 46 and 48 makes cytochrome c assemble a non-functional apoptosome

► Solvent-exposed tyrosines 46 and 48 of cytochrome c are nitrated in vitro. ► Nitration of cytochrome c does not affect the reaction with cytochrome c oxidase. ► Nitration of cytochrome c impairs its ability to activate caspase-9.