Evidence for coenzyme Q function in transplasma membrane electron transport

Transplasma membrane electron transport activity has been associated with stimulation of cell growth. Coenzyme Q is present in plasma membranes and because of its lipid solubility would be a logical carrier to transport electrons across the plasma membrane. Extraction of coenzyme Q from isolated rat liver plasma membranes decreases the NADH ferricyanide reductase and added coenzyme Q10 restores the activity. Piericidin and other analogs of coenzyme Q inhibit transplasma membrane electron transport as measured by ferricyanide reduction by intact cells and NADH ferricyanide reduction by isolated plasma membranes. The inhibition by the analogs is reversed by added coenzyme Q10. Thus, coenzyme Q in plasma membrane may act as a transmembrane electron carrier for the redox system which has been shown to control cell growth.     

Coordinated, coenzyme Q reversible, 2,5-dibromothymoquionine inhibition of electron transport and ATPase in Escherichia coli.

2,6-dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB) and other coenzyme Q analogs partially inhibit electron transport and the membrane-bound Mg⁺⁺ stimulated ATPase of $\text{E. coli}$ membranes. The inhibitions by DBMIB are fully reversed by coenzyme Q₆, and other analogs show partial reversal by coenzyme Q₆. Electron transport reactions inhibited are NADH and lactate oxidase, NADH menadione reductase, lactate phenazinemethosulfate reductase and duroquinol oxidase. The concentrations of DBMIB required are similar for electron transport and ATPase inhibition and inhibitions are all increased by uncouplers. Electron transport and ATPase are not inhibited in a DBMIB insensitive mutant. Soluble ATPase extracted from the membranes does not show DBMIB inhibition under either high or low Mg⁺⁺ conditions. Lipophilic chelators show additional inhibition over DBMIB. It appears that coenzyme Q functions at three sites in $\text{E. coli}$ electron transport where ATPase activity is controlled. Coenzyme Q deficient mutants also show decreased electron transport and ATPase activity which is restored by coenzyme Q.     

Inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport by hydrophilic metal chelators. Determination of dehydrogenase topography

The topography of the inner mitochondrial membrane was investigated using inhibitors of electron transport on preparations of beef heart mitochondria and electron transport particles of opposite orientation. Reductions of juglone, ferricyanide, indophenol, coenzyme Q, duroquinone, and cytochrome c by NADH are inhibited to different extents on both sides of the membrane by the impermeant hydrophilic chelators bathophenanthroline sulfonate and orthophenanthroline. The extent of inhibition for each acceptor increased in the order given. At least two chelator-sensitive sites are present on each membrane face between the flavoprotein and coenzyme Q and a chelator-sensitive site is present on the matrix face between the sites of coenzyme Q and duroquinone interaction. Duroquinol oxidation in mitochondria only is stimulated by bathophenanthroline sulfonate. Juglone reduction is stimulated in electron transport particles (only) by p-hydroxymercuribenzenesulfonate, but after mercurial treatment, juglone reduction in both particles and mitochondria is more sensitive to bathophenanthroline sulfonate.Succinate dehydrogenase components are inhibited by hydrophilic orthophenanthroline or bathophenanthroline sulfonate in mitochondria only. Electron flow between the dehydrogenases of succinate and NADH occurs via a chelator-sensitive site located on the matrix face of the membrane. Inter-complex electron flow is prevented by rotenone or thenoyltrifluoroacetone. The lack of succinate-indophenol reductase inhibition by bathophenanthroline sulfonate in the presence of rotenone or thenoyltrifluoroacetone indicates that the rotenone-sensitive site may be located on the matrix face and demonstrates that electrons flow between the NADH and succinate dehydrogenases via a hydrophilic chelator and rotenone-thenoyltrifluoroacetone-sensitive site on the matrix face of the membrane. Inhibition by hydrophilic chelators only in mitochondria indicates that succinate dehydrogenase as well as NADH dehydrogenase has a transmembranous orientation.     

Putting together a plasma membrane NADH oxidase: A tale of three laboratories

The observation that high cellular concentrations of NADH were associated with low adenylate cyclase activity led to a search for the mechanism of the effect. Since cyclase is in the plasma membrane, we considered the membrane might have a site for NADH action, and that NADH might be oxidized at that site. A test for NADH oxidase showed very low activity, which could be increased by adding growth factors. The plasma membrane oxidase was not inhibited by inhibitors of mitochondrial NADH oxidase such as cyanide, rotenone or antimycin. Stimulation of the plasma membrane oxidase by iso-proterenol or triiodothyronine was different from lack of stimulation in endoplasmic reticulum. After 25 years of research, three components of a trans membrane NADH oxidase have been discovered. Flavoprotein NADH coenzyme Q reductases (NADH cytochrome b reductase) on the inside, coenzyme Q in the middle, and a coenzyme Q oxidase on the outside as a terminal oxidase. The external oxidase segment is a copper protein with unique properties in timekeeping, protein disulfide isomerase and endogenous NADH oxidase activity, which affords a mechanism for control of cell growth by the overall NADH oxidase and the remarkable inhibition of oxidase activity and growth of cancer cells by a wide range of anti-tumor drugs. A second trans plasma membrane electron transport system has been found in voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC), which has NADH ferricyanide reductase activity. This activity must be considered in relation to ferricyanide stimulation of growth and increased VDAC antibodies in patients with autism.     

NADH oxidation and NAD+ reduction catalysed by tightly coupled inside-out vesicles from Paracoccus denitrificans.

Tightly coupled inside-out vesicles were prepared from Paracoccus denitrificans cells (SPP, sub-Paracoccus particles) and characterized kinetically. The rate of NADH oxidation, catalysed by SPP, increases 6-8 times on addition of gramicidin. The vesicles are capable of catalysing Delta micro H+-dependent reverse electron transfer from quinol to NAD+. The kinetic parameters of the NADH-oxidase and the reverse electron transfer carried out by membrane-bound P. denitrificans complex I were estimated and compared with those of the mitochondrial enzyme. The data demonstrate that catalytic properties of the dinucleotide-binding site of the bacterial and mitochondrial complex I are almost identical, pointing out similar organization of the site in mammals and P. denitrificans. Inhibition of the bacterial complex I by a specific inhibitor of Q reduction, rotenone, is very different from that of the mitochondrial enzyme. The inhibitor is capable of suppressing the NADH oxidation reaction only at micromolar concentrations, while the activity of mitochondrial enzyme is suppressed by nanomolar concentrations of rotenone. In contrast to the mitochondrial enzyme, rotenone, even at concentrations as high as 10 micro m, does not inhibit the reverse, Delta micro H+-dependent NAD+-reductase reaction on SPP.     

Interaction of 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium Ion (MPP+) and Its Analogs with the Rotenone/Piericidin Binding Site of NADH Dehydrogenase

Nigrostriatal cell death in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease results from the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). MPP+ blocks electron flow from NADH dehydrogenase to coenzyme Q at or near the same site as do rotenone and piericidin and protects against binding of and loss of activity due to these inhibitors. The 4'-analogs of MPP+ showed increasing affinity for the site with increasing length of alkyl chain, with the lowest Ki, for 4'-heptyl-MPP+, being 6 microM. The 4'-analogs compete with rotenone for the binding site in a concentration-dependent manner. They protect the activity of the enzyme from inhibition by piericidin in parallel to preventing its binding, indicating that the analogs and piericidin bind at the same inhibitory site(s). The optimum protection, however, was afforded by 4'-propyl-MPP+. The lesser protection by the more lipophilic MPP+ analogs with longer alkyl chains may involve a different orientation in the hydrophobic cleft, allowing rotenone and piericidin to still bind even when the pyridinium cation is in a position to interrupt electron flow from NADH to coenzyme Q.     

Mechanism of O2- generation in reduction and oxidation cycle of ubiquinones in a model of mitochondrial electron transport systems

O2- generation in mitochondrial electron transport systems, especially the NADPH-coenzyme Q10 oxidoreductase system, was examined using a model system, NADPH-coenzyme Q1-NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 reductase. One electron reduction of coenzyme Q1 produces coenzyme Q1-. and O2- during enzyme-catalyzed reduction and O2+ coenzyme Q1-. are in equilibrium with O2- + coenzyme Q1 in the presence of enough O2. The coenzyme Q1-. produced can be completely eliminated by superoxide dismutase, identical to bound coenzyme Q10 radical produced in a succinate/fumarate couple-KCN-submitochondrial system in the presence of O2. Superoxide dismutase promotes electron transfer from reduced enzyme to coenzyme Q1 by the rapid dismutation of O2- generated, thereby preventing the reduction of coenzyme Q1 by O2-. The enzymatic reduction of coenzyme Q1 to coenzyme Q1H2 via coenzyme Q1-. is smoothly achieved under anaerobic conditions. The rate of coenzyme Q1H2 autoxidation is extremely slow, i.e., second-order constant for [O2][coenzyme Q1H2] = 1.5 M-1.s-1 at 258 microM O2, pH 7.5 and 25 degrees C.     

Modes of coenzyme Q function in electron transfer

Summary In the mitochondrial respiratory chain, coenzyme Q acts in different ways. A diffusable coenzyme Q pool as a common substrate-like intermediate links the low-potential complexes with complex III. Its diffusion in the lipids is not rate-limiting for electron transfer, but its content is not saturating for maximal rate of NADH oxidation. Protein-bound coenzyme Q is involved in energy conservation, and may be part of enzyme supercomplexes, as in succinate cytochromec reductase. The reason for lack of kinetic saturation of the respiratory chain by quinone concentration is in the low extent of solubility of monomeric coenzyme Q in the membrane lipids. Assays of respiratory enzymes are performed using water soluble coenzyme Q homologs and analogs; several problems exist in using oxidized quinones as acceptors of coenzyme Q reductases. In particular, for complex I no acceptor appears to favorably substitute the endogenous quinone. In addition, quinone reduction sites in complex III compete with the sites in the dehydrogenases, particularly when using duroquinone. The different extent by which these sites operate when different donor substrates (NADH, succinate, glycerol-3-phosphate) are used is best explained by different exposure of the quinone acceptor sites in the dehydrogenases.     

NAD+/NADH and/or CoQ/CoQH2 ratios from plasma membrane electron transport may determine ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate levels accompanying G1 arrest and apoptosis

To elucidate possible biochemical links between growth arrest from antiproliferative chemotherapeutic agents and apoptosis, our work has focused on agents (EGCg, capsaicin, cis platinum, adriamycin, anti-tumor sulfonylureas, phenoxodiol) that target tNOX. tNOX is a cancer-specific cell surface NADH oxidase (ECTO-NOX protein), that functions in cancer cells as the terminal oxidase for plasma membrane electron transport. When tNOX is active, coenzyme Q(10) (ubiquinone) of the plasma membrane is oxidized and NADH is oxidized at the cytosolic surface of the plasma membrane. However, when tNOX is inhibited and plasma membrane electron transport is diminished, both reduced coenzyme Q(10) (ubiquinol) and NADH would be expected to accumulate. To relate inhibition of plasma membrane redox to increased ceramide levels and arrest of cell proliferation in G(1) and apoptosis, we show that neutral sphingomyelinase, a major contributor to plasma membrane ceramide, is inhibited by reduced glutathione and ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is without effect or stimulates. In contrast, sphingosine kinase, which generates anti-apoptotic sphingosine-1-phosphate, is stimulated by ubiquinone but inhibited by ubiquinol and NADH. Thus, the quinone and pyridine nucleotide products of plasma membrane redox, ubiquinone and ubiquinol, as well as NAD(+) and NADH, may directly modulate in a reciprocal manner two key plasma membrane enzymes, sphingomyelinase and sphingosine kinase, potentially leading to G(1) arrest (increase in ceramide) and apoptosis (loss of sphingosine-1-phosphate). As such, the findings provide potential links between coenzyme Q(10)-mediated plasma membrane electron transport and the anticancer action of several clinically-relevant anticancer agents.     

The plasma membrane NADH oxidase of HeLa cells has hydroquinone oxidase activity.

The plasma membrane NADH oxidase activity partially purified from the surface of HeLa cells exhibited hydroquinone oxidase activity. The preparations completely lacked NADH:ubiquinone reductase activity. However, in the absence of NADH, reduced coenzyme Q10 (Q10H2=ubiquinol) was oxidized at a rate of 15+/-6 nmol min-1 mg protein-1 depending on degree of purification. The apparent Km for Q10H2 oxidation was 33 microM. Activities were inhibited competitively by the cancer cell-specific NADH oxidase inhibitors, capsaicin and the antitumor sulfonylurea N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-chlorophenyl)urea (LY181984). With coenzyme Q0, where the preparations were unable to carry out either NADH:quinone reduction or reduced quinone oxidation, quinol oxidation was observed with an equal mixture of the Q0 and Q0H2 forms. With the mixture, a rate of Q0H2 oxidation of 8-17 nmol min-1 mg protein-1 was observed with an apparent Km of 0.22 mM. The rate of Q10H2 oxidation was not stimulated by addition of equal amounts of Q10 and Q10H2. However, addition of Q0 to the Q10H2 did stimulate. The oxidation of Q10H2 proceeded with what appeared to be a two-electron transfer. The oxidation of Q0H2 may involve Q0, but the mechanism was not clear. The findings suggest the potential participation of the plasma membrane NADH oxidase as a terminal oxidase of plasma membrane electron transport from cytosolic NAD(P)H via naturally occurring hydroquinones to acceptors at the cell surface.     

Mechanism of Action of the Antifungal Antibiotic Pyrrolnitrin

Pyrrolnitrin at 10 mug/ml inhibited the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Penicillium atrovenetum, and P. oxalicum. The primary site of action of pyrrolnitrin on S. cerevisiae was the terminal electron transport system between succinate or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and coenzyme Q. At growth inhibitory concentrations, pyrrolnitrin inhibited endogenous and exogenous respiration immediately after its addition to the system. In mitochondrial preparations, the antibiotic inhibited succinate oxidase, NADH oxidase, succinate-cytochrome c reductase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase, and succinate-coenzyme Q(6) reductase. In addition, pyrrolnitrin inhibited the antimycin-insensitive reduction of dichlorophenolindophenol and of the tetrazolium dye 2,2'-di-p-nitrophenyl-(3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4'-bi-phenylene)5,5'-diphenylditetrazolium. The reduction of another tetrazolium dye, 2-p-iodophenyl-3-p-nitrophenyl-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride, that was antimycin-sensitive, was also inhibited by pyrrolnitrin. The antibiotic had no effect on the activity of cytochrome oxidase, and it did not appear to bind with flavine adenine dinucleotide, the coenzyme of succinic dehydrogenase. In whole cells of S. cerevisiae, pyrrolnitrin inhibited the incorporation of (14)C-glucose into nucleic acids and proteins. It also inhibited the incorporation of (14)C-uracil, (3)H-thymidine, and (14)C-amino acids into ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, and protein, respectively. The in vitro protein synthesis in Rhizoctonia solani and Escherichia coli was not affected by pyrrolnitrin. Pyrrolnitrin also inhibited the uptake of radioactive tracers, but there was no general damage to the cell membranes that would result in an increased leakage of cell metabolites. Apparently, pyrrolnitrin inhibits fungal growth by inhibiting the respiratory electron transport system.     

Coenzyme Q cytoprotective mechanisms for mitochondrial complex I cytopathies involves NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)

The commonest mitochondrial diseases are probably those impairing the function of complex I of the respiratory electron transport chain. Such complex I impairment may contribute to various neurodegenerative disorders e.g. Parkinson's disease. In the following, using hepatocytes as a model cell, we have shown for the first time that the cytotoxicity caused by complex I inhibition by rotenone but not that caused by complex III inhibition by antimycin can be prevented by coenzyme Q (CoQ1) or menadione. Furthermore, complex I inhibitor cytotoxicity was associated with the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. ROS scavengers or inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition prevented cytotoxicity. The CoQ1 cytoprotective mechanism required CoQ1 reduction by DT-diaphorase (NQO1). Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels were restored at low CoQ1 concentrations (5 microM). This suggests that the CoQ1H2 formed by NQO1 reduced complex III and acted as an electron bypass of the rotenone block. However cytoprotection still occurred at higher CoQ1 concentrations (>10 microM), which were less effective at restoring ATP levels but readily restored the cellular cytosolic redox potential (i.e. lactate: pyruvate ratio) and prevented ROS formation. This suggests that CoQ1 or menadione cytoprotection also involves the NQO1 catalysed reoxidation of NADH that accumulates as a result of complex I inhibition. The CoQ1H2 formed would then also act as a ROS scavenger.     

Coenzyme Q analogues reconstitute electron transport and proton ejection but not the antimycin-induced "red shift" in mitochondria from coenzyme Q deficient mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mitochondria isolated from coenzyme Q deficient yeast cells had no detectable NADH:cytochrome c reductase or succinate:cytochrome c reductase activity but contained normal amounts of cytochromes b and c1 by spectral analysis. Addition of the exogenous coenzyme Q derivatives including Q2, Q6, and the decyl analogue (DB) restored the rate of antimycin- and myxothiazole-sensitive cytochrome c reductase with both substrates to that observed with reduced DBH2. Similarly, addition of these coenzyme Q analogues increased 2-3-fold the rate of cytochrome c reduction in mitochondria from wild-type cells, suggesting that the pool of coenzyme Q in the membrane is limiting for electron transport in the respiratory chain. Preincubation of mitochondria from the Q-deficient yeast cells with DBH2 at 25 degrees C restored electrogenic proton ejection, resulting in a H+/2e- ratio of 3.35 as compared to a ratio of 3.22 observed in mitochondria from the wild-type cell. Addition of succinate and either coenzyme Q6 or DB to mitochondria from the Q-deficient yeast cells resulted in the initial reduction of cytochrome b followed by a slow reduction of cytochrome c1 with a reoxidation of cytochrome b. The subsequent addition of antimycin resulted in the oxidant-induced extrareduction of cytochrome b and concomitant oxidation of cytochrome c1 without the "red" shift observed in the wild-type mitochondria. Similarly, addition of antimycin to dithionite-reduced mitochondria from the mutant cells did not result in a red shift in the absorption maximum of cytochrome b as was observed in the wild-type mitochondria in the presence or absence of exogenous coenzyme Q analogues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Redox state of glutathione and thioredoxin in differentiation and apoptosis

This study was organized by Professor Karl Folkers with the objective of finding derivatives of coenzyme Q which could be more effectively absorbed and would give better biomedical effects. In this series all the compounds are 2,3 dimethoxy, 5 methyl p benzoquinone with modified side chains in the 6 position. The modifications are primarily changes in chain length, unsaturation, methyl groups and addition of terminal phenyl groups. The test system evaluates the growth of serum deficient HL60, 3T3 and HeLa cells in the presence of coenzyme Q10 or coenzyme Q analogs. Short chain coenzyme Q homologues such as coenzyme Q2 give poor growth but compounds with saturated short aliphatic side chains from C10 to C18 produce good growth. Introduction of a single double bond at the 2' or 8' position in the aliphatic chain retains growth stimulation at low concentration but introduces inhibition at higher concentration. Introduction of a 3' methyl group in addition to the 2' enyl site in the side chain decreases the growth response and maintains inhibition. Addition of a terminal phenyl group to the side chain from C5 to C10 can produce analogs which give strong stimulation or strong inhibition of growth. The action of the analogs is in addition to the natural coenzyme Q in the cell and is not based on restoration of activity after depletion of normal coenzyme Q. The effects may be based on any of the sites in the cell where coenzyme Q functions. For example, coenzyme Q2 is known to decrease mitochondrial membrane potential whereas the analog with a 10C aliphatic side chain increases potential. Both of these compounds stimulate plasma membrane electron transport. Inhibition of apoptosis by coenzyme Q may also increase net cell proliferation and the 10C analog inhibits the permeability transition pore.     

Evidence that the blockade of mitochondrial respiration by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) involves binding at the same site as the respiratory inhibitor, rotenone

It has been postulated that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) blocks mitochondrial respiration by combining at the same site as rotenone, a potent inhibitor of NADH oxidation in mitochondria, known to act at the junction of NADH dehydrogenase and coenzyme Q (CoQ). The present experiments show that MPP+ and two of its analogs indeed act in a concentration dependent manner to prevent the binding of [14C]-rotenone to submitochondrial particles (ETP) and significantly decrease the inhibition of electron transport caused by rotenone. It therefore appears that MPP+ binds at the same site as rotenone or an adjacent site, supporting the hypothesis that its neurotoxic action is due to the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration.     

Coenzyme Q Cytoprotective Mechanisms for Mitochondrial Complex I Cytopathies Involves NAD(P)H: Quinone Oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)

The commonest mitochondrial diseases are probably those impairing the function of complex I of the respiratory electron transport chain. Such complex I impairment may contribute to various neurodegenerative disorders e.g. Parkinson's disease. In the following, using hepatocytes as a model cell, we have shown for the first time that the cytotoxicity caused by complex I inhibition by rotenone but not that caused by complex III inhibition by antimycin can be prevented by coenzyme Q (CoQ 1 ) or menadione. Furthermore, complex I inhibitor cytotoxicity was associated with the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. ROS scavengers or inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition prevented cytotoxicity. The CoQ 1 cytoprotective mechanism required CoQ 1 reduction by DT-diaphorase (NQO 1 ). Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels were restored at low CoQ 1 concentrations (5 &#119 M). This suggests that the CoQ 1 H 2 formed by NQO 1 reduced complex III and acted as an electron bypass of the rotenone block. However cytoprotection still occurred at higher CoQ 1 concentrations (>10 &#119 M), which were less effective at restoring ATP levels but readily restored the cellular cytosolic redox potential (i.e. lactate: pyruvate ratio) and prevented ROS formation. This suggests that CoQ 1 or menadione cytoprotection also involves the NQO 1 catalysed reoxidation of NADH that accumulates as a result of complex I inhibition. The CoQ 1 H 2 formed would then also act as a ROS scavenger.     

Interaction of positively charged ubiquinone analog (MitoQ10) with DT-diaphorase from liver mitochondria

Effects of the coenzyme Q analog (MitoQ₁₀) carrying a positively charged decyltetraphenylphosphonium group on functional activity of phosphorylating liver mitochondria were studied. Using inhibitory analysis it was found that at micromolar concentrations this quinone is reduced by NADH-dependent DT-diaphorase. Under conditions of malate oxidation, MitoQ₁₀ stimulates electron transfer from NADH to oxygen by shunting the block of rotenone-induced electron transport in Complex I. Steady-state mitochondrial respiration induced by rotenone and MitoQ₁₀ (1 μM), as well as K3 shunt are both blocked by the DT-diaphorase inhibitor dicumarol, the Complex III inhibitor myxothiazole, and the cytochrome oxidase inhibitor cyanide. The electron transport chain induced in liver mitochondria by MitoQ₁₀ in the presence of rotenone appears as follows: NADH → DT-diaphorase → MitoQ₁₀ → Complex III → Complex IV → O₂. Under conditions of malate (but not succinate) oxidation, MitoQ₁₀ and high concentrations of vitamin K3 induce in mitochondria cyanide-resistant respiration and opening of the nonspecific pore eventually resulting in inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. It is concluded that MitoQ₁₀ should be regarded as an analog of hydrophilic quinones (vitamin K3, duroquinone, etc.) widely known as substrates for mitochondrial DT-diaphorase not interacting with CoQ₁₀ rather than as a natural CoQ₁₀ analog.     

Glyceollin: a site-specific inhibitor of electron transport in isolated soybean mitochondria

The glyceollin inhibition of electron transport by isolated soybean and corn mitochondria was similar to that of rotenone, acting at site I between the internal NADH dehydrogenase and coenzyme Q. Coupled state 3 malate oxidation was inhibited by glyceollin and rotenone with apparent K_i values of about 15 and 5 micromolar, respectively. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone uncoupled state 4 malate oxidation was also inhibited by glyceollin and rotenone, but uncoupled succinate and exogenous NADH state 4 oxidation was only slightly inhibited by both compounds. Glyceollin also inhibited ferricyanide reduction with malate as the electron donor, with an apparent K_i of 5.4 micromolar, but failed to inhibit such reduction with succinate or externally added NADH as electron donors. Glyceollin did not inhibit state 4 oxidation of malate, succinate, or exogenous NADH. Glyceollin did not act as a classical uncoupler or as an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation.     

Interactions Between Ascorbyl Free Radical and Coenzyme Q at the Plasma Membrane

A role for coenzyme Q in the stabilization of extracellular ascorbate by intact cells has beenrecently recognized. The aim of this work was to study the interactions between reducedubiquinone in the plasma membrane and the ascorbyl free radical, as an approach to understandubiquinone-mediated ascorbate stabilization at the cell surface. K-562 cells stabilized ascorbateand decreased the steady-state levels of the semiascorbyl radical. The ability of cells to reduceascorbyl free radical was inhibited by the quinone analogs capsaicin and chloroquine andstimulated by supplementing cells with coenzyme Q₁₀. Purified plasma membranes also reducedascorbyl free radical in the presence of NADH. Free-radical reduction was notobserved inquinone-depleted plasma membranes, but restored after its reconstitution with coenzyme Q₁₀.Addition of reduced coenzyme Q₁₀ to depleted membranes allowed them toreduce the signalof the ascorbyl free radical without NADH incubation and the addition of an extra amount ofpurified plasma membrane quinone reductase further stimulated this activity. Reduction wasabolished by treatment with the reductase inhibitor p-hydroximercuribenzoate and by blockingsurface glycoconjugates with the lectin wheat germ agglutinin, which supports the participationof transmembrane electron flow. The activity showed saturation kinetics by NADH andcoenzyme Q, but not by the ascorbyl free radical in the range of concentrations used. Our resultssupport that reduction of ascorbyl free radicals at the cell surface involves coenzyme Qreduction by NADH and the membrane-mediated reduction of ascorbyl free radical.     

Isolation and biochemical characterization of two soluble iron(III) reductases from Paracoccus denitrificans.

Two soluble enzymes (FerA and FerB) catalyzing the reduction of a number of iron(III) complexes by NADH, were purified to near homogeneity from the aerobically grown iron-limited culture of Paracoccus denitrificans using a combination of anion-exchange chromatography (Sepharose Q), chromatofocusing (Mono P), and gel permeation chromatography (Superose 12). FerA is a monomer with a molecular mass of 19 kDa, whereas FerB exhibited a molecular mass of about 55 kDa and consists of probably two identical subunits. FerA can be classified as an NADH:flavin oxidoreductase with a sequential reaction mechanism. It requires the addition of FMN or riboflavin for activity on Fe(III) substrates. In these reactions, the apparent substrate specificity of FerA seems to stem exclusively from different chemical reactivities of Fe(III) compounds with the free reduced flavin produced by the enzyme. Observations on reducibility of Fe(III) chelated by vicinal dihydroxy ligands support the view that FerA takes part in releasing iron from the catechol type siderophores synthesized by P. denitrificans. Contrary to FerA, the purified FerB contains a noncovalently bound redox-active FAD coenzyme, can utilize NADPH in place of NADH, does not reduce free FMN at an appreciable rate, and gives a ping-pong type kinetic pattern with NADH and Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetate as substrates. FerB is able to reduce chromate, in agreement with the fact that its N-terminus bears a homology to the previously described chromate reductase from Pseudomonas putida. Besides this, it also readily reduces quinones like ubiquinone-0 (Q0) or unsubstituted p-benzoquinone.