title: Endogenous synthesis of coenzyme Q in eukaryotes.
abstract: Coenzyme Q (Q) functions in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and serves as a lipophilic antioxidant. There is increasing interest in the use of Q as a nutritional supplement. Although, the physiological significance of Q is extensively investigated in eukaryotes, ranging from yeast to human, the eukaryotic Q biosynthesis pathway is best characterized in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At least ten genes (COQ1-COQ10) have been shown to be required for Q biosynthesis and function in respiration. This review highlights recent knowledge about the endogenous synthesis of Q in eukaryotes, with emphasis on S. cerevisiae as a model system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, USA.
authors.forename: UyenPhuong C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Catherine F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D021381:Protein Transport; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008055:Lipids; D014451:Ubiquinone; D002244:Carbon