title: Is antioxidant potential of the mitochondrial targeted ubiquinone derivative MitoQ conserved in cells lacking mtDNA?
abstract: MitoQ has been developed as a mitochondrial targeted antioxidant for diseases associated with oxidative stress. Here we show that MitoQ blocks the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial protein thiol oxidation, and preserves mitochondrial function and ultrastructure after glutathione (GSH) depletion. Furthermore, the antioxidant effect of MitoQ is conserved in cells lacking mitochondrial DNA, indicating that its antioxidant properties do not depend on a functional electron transport chain (ETC). Our results elucidate the antioxidant mechanism of MitoQ and suggest that it may be a useful therapeutic for disorders associated with a dysfunctional ETC and increased ROS production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Whiteman
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014451:Ubiquinone; C429014:mitoquinone