4-Nitrobenzoate inhibits coenzyme Q biosynthesis in mammalian cell cultures.
Coenzyme Q (Q) is an electron transporter in the respiratory chain and a lipid-soluble antioxidant that decreases in humans with age. Here we show that 4-nitrobenzoate inhibited 4-hydroxybenzoate:polyprenyl transferase (Coq2) in a competitive manner and dose-dependently decreased Q in mammalian cells without accumulation of Q intermediates. As 4-nitrobenzoate neither interfered with mitochondrial respiration nor induced oxidative stress, it should prove a valuable tool for studies on both Q deficiency and Q supplementation.
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ulrika
U
Forsman
Mats
M
Sjöberg
Mikael
M
Turunen
Pavel J
PJ
Sindelar
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D009579:Nitrobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D009579:Nitrobenzoates; D014451:Ubiquinone; C008629:4-nitrobenzoic acid