The Roles of Coenzyme Q in Disease: Direct and Indirect Involvement in Cellular Functions |
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| Authors: | Francesco Pallotti Christian Bergamini Costanza Lamperti Romana Fato |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Degli Studi dell’Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy;2.SSD Laboratorio Analisi-SMEL Specializzato in Citogenetica e Genetica Medica, ASST Settelaghi-Ospedale di Circolo-Fondazione Macchi, 21100 Varese, Italy;3.Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FABIT, Università Degli Studi di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;4.UO Genetica Medica e Neurogenetica Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, 20133 Milano, Italy; |
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| Abstract: | Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a key component of the respiratory chain of all eukaryotic cells. Its function is closely related to mitochondrial respiration, where it acts as an electron transporter. However, the cellular functions of coenzyme Q are multiple: it is present in all cell membranes, limiting the toxic effect of free radicals, it is a component of LDL, it is involved in the aging process, and its deficiency is linked to several diseases. Recently, it has been proposed that coenzyme Q contributes to suppressing ferroptosis, a type of iron-dependent programmed cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation. In this review, we report the latest hypotheses and theories analyzing the multiple functions of coenzyme Q. The complete knowledge of the various cellular CoQ functions is essential to provide a rational basis for its possible therapeutic use, not only in diseases characterized by primary CoQ deficiency, but also in large number of diseases in which its secondary deficiency has been found. |
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| Keywords: | coenzyme Q10 ubiquinone-10 ubiquinol-10 mitochondria OxPhos LDL statins age-related diseases |
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