Nigericin is widely used in biological research as an ionophore, specifically for transporting potassium ions across cell membranes. It is particularly valuable in studies related to mitochondrial function, as it disrupts the proton gradient, leading to the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. This property makes it a useful tool for investigating cellular energy metabolism and the role of ion gradients in various physiological processes. Additionally, nigericin is employed in research on inflammation and cell signaling, where it is used to modulate intracellular pH and potassium levels, helping to study the mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Its ability to alter ion homeostasis also makes it relevant in studies of cell death pathways, including apoptosis and pyroptosis.