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Wang Y, Lilienfeldt N, Hekimi S. Understanding coenzyme Q. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1533-1610. [PMID: 38722242 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme Q (CoQ), also known as ubiquinone, comprises a benzoquinone head group and a long isoprenoid side chain. It is thus extremely hydrophobic and resides in membranes. It is best known for its complex function as an electron transporter in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) but is also required for several other crucial cellular processes. In fact, CoQ appears to be central to the entire redox balance of the cell. Remarkably, its structure and therefore its properties have not changed from bacteria to vertebrates. In metazoans, it is synthesized in all cells and is found in most, and maybe all, biological membranes. CoQ is also known as a nutritional supplement, mostly because of its involvement with antioxidant defenses. However, whether there is any health benefit from oral consumption of CoQ is not well established. Here we review the function of CoQ as a redox-active molecule in the ETC and other enzymatic systems, its role as a prooxidant in reactive oxygen species generation, and its separate involvement in antioxidant mechanisms. We also review CoQ biosynthesis, which is particularly complex because of its extreme hydrophobicity, as well as the biological consequences of primary and secondary CoQ deficiency, including in human patients. Primary CoQ deficiency is a rare inborn condition due to mutation in CoQ biosynthetic genes. Secondary CoQ deficiency is much more common, as it accompanies a variety of pathological conditions, including mitochondrial disorders as well as aging. In this context, we discuss the importance, but also the great difficulty, of alleviating CoQ deficiency by CoQ supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Noah Lilienfeldt
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Siegfried Hekimi
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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2
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Hsu CJ, Lee WT. Epilepsy and Coenzyme Q10 deficiency with COQ4 variants. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 149:109498. [PMID: 37948995 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the essential substances for mitochondrial energy synthesis and extra-mitochondrial vital function. Primary CoQ10 deficiency is a rare disease resulting from interruption of CoQ10 biosynthetic pathway and biallelic COQ4 variants are one of the genetic etiologies recognized in this hereditary disorder. The clinical heterogenicity is broad with wide onset age from prenatal period to adulthood. The typical manifestations include early pharmacoresistant seizure, severe cognition and/or developmental delay, dystonia, ataxia, and spasticity. Patients may also have multisystemic involvements such as cardiomyopathy, lactic acidosis or gastro-esophageal regurgitation disease. Oral CoQ10 supplement is the major therapeutic medication currently. Among those patients, c.370G > A variant is the most common pathogenic variant detected, especially in Asian population. This phenomenon also suggests that this specific allele may be the founder variants in Asia. In this article, we report two siblings with infantile onset seizures, developmental delay, cardiomyopathy, and diffuse brain atrophy. Genetic analysis of both two cases revealed homozygous COQ4 c.370G > A (p.Gly124Ser) variants. We also review the clinical manifestations of primary CoQ10 deficiency patients and possible treatment categories, which are still under survey. As oral CoQ10 supplement may improve or stabilize disease severity, early precise diagnosis of primary CoQ10 deficiency and early treatment are the most important issues. This review article helps to further understand clinical spectrum and treatment categories of primary CoQ10 deficiency with COQ4 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Jui Hsu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hsin-Chu Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Tso Lee
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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3
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Staiano C, García-Corzo L, Mantle D, Turton N, Millichap LE, Brea-Calvo G, Hargreaves I. Biosynthesis, Deficiency, and Supplementation of Coenzyme Q. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1469. [PMID: 37508007 PMCID: PMC10375973 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Originally identified as a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, Coenzyme Q (CoQ or CoQ10 for human tissues) has recently been revealed to be essential for many different redox processes, not only in the mitochondria, but elsewhere within other cellular membrane types. Cells rely on endogenous CoQ biosynthesis, and defects in this still-not-completely understood pathway result in primary CoQ deficiencies, a group of conditions biochemically characterised by decreased tissue CoQ levels, which in turn are linked to functional defects. Secondary CoQ deficiencies may result from a wide variety of cellular dysfunctions not directly linked to primary synthesis. In this article, we review the current knowledge on CoQ biosynthesis, the defects leading to diminished CoQ10 levels in human tissues and their associated clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Staiano
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-JA, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Laura García-Corzo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-JA, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Nadia Turton
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Merseyside L3 5UX, UK
| | - Lauren E Millichap
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Merseyside L3 5UX, UK
| | - Gloria Brea-Calvo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide-CSIC-JA, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Iain Hargreaves
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Merseyside L3 5UX, UK
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Guile MD, Jain A, Anderson KA, Clarke CF. New Insights on the Uptake and Trafficking of Coenzyme Q. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1391. [PMID: 37507930 PMCID: PMC10376127 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential lipid with many cellular functions, such as electron transport for cellular respiration, antioxidant protection, redox homeostasis, and ferroptosis suppression. Deficiencies in CoQ due to aging, genetic disease, or medication can be ameliorated by high-dose supplementation. As such, an understanding of the uptake and transport of CoQ may inform methods of clinical use and identify how to better treat deficiency. Here, we review what is known about the cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of CoQ from yeast, mammalian cell culture, and rodent models, as well as its absorption at the organism level. We discuss the use of these model organisms to probe the mechanisms of uptake and distribution. The literature indicates that CoQ uptake and distribution are multifaceted processes likely to have redundancies in its transport, utilizing the endomembrane system and newly identified proteins that function as lipid transporters. Impairment of the trafficking of either endogenous or exogenous CoQ exerts profound effects on metabolism and stress response. This review also highlights significant gaps in our knowledge of how CoQ is distributed within the cell and suggests future directions of research to better understand this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Guile
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Akash Jain
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Kyle A Anderson
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
| | - Catherine F Clarke
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
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Neuroimaging in Primary Coenzyme-Q10-Deficiency Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12030718. [PMID: 36978966 PMCID: PMC10045115 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12030718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenously synthesized lipid molecule. It is best known for its role as a cofactor within the mitochondrial respiratory chain where it functions in electron transfer and ATP synthesis. However, there are many other cellular pathways that also depend on the CoQ10 supply (redox homeostasis, ferroptosis and sulfide oxidation). The CoQ10 biosynthesis pathway consists of several enzymes, which are encoded by the nuclear DNA. The majority of these enzymes are responsible for modifications of the CoQ-head group (benzoquinone ring). Only three enzymes (PDSS1, PDSS2 and COQ2) are required for assembly and attachment of the polyisoprenoid side chain. The head-modifying enzymes may assemble into resolvable domains, representing COQ complexes. During the last two decades, numerous inborn errors in CoQ10 biosynthesis enzymes have been identified. Thus far, 11 disease genes are known (PDSS1, PDSS2, COQ2, COQ4, COQ5, COQ6, COQ7, COQ8A, COQ8B, COQ9 and HPDL). Disease onset is highly variable and ranges from the neonatal period to late adulthood. CoQ10 deficiency exerts detrimental effects on the nervous system. Potential consequences are neuronal death, neuroinflammation and cerebral gliosis. Clinical features include encephalopathy, regression, movement disorders, epilepsy and intellectual disability. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most important tool for diagnostic evaluation of neurological damage in individuals with CoQ10 deficiency. However, due to the rarity of the different gene defects, information on disease manifestations within the central nervous system is scarce. This review aims to provide an overview of brain MRI patterns observed in primary CoQ10 biosynthesis disorders and to highlight disease-specific findings.
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Laugwitz L, Seibt A, Herebian D, Peralta S, Kienzle I, Buchert R, Falb R, Gauck D, Müller A, Grimmel M, Beck-Woedel S, Kern J, Daliri K, Katibeh P, Danhauser K, Leiz S, Alesi V, Baertling F, Vasco G, Steinfeld R, Wagner M, Caglayan AO, Gumus H, Burmeister M, Mayatepek E, Martinelli D, Tamhankar PM, Tamhankar V, Joset P, Steindl K, Rauch A, Bonnen PE, Froukh T, Groeschel S, Krägeloh-Mann I, Haack TB, Distelmaier F. Human COQ4 deficiency: delineating the clinical, metabolic and neuroimaging phenotypes. J Med Genet 2022; 59:878-887. [PMID: 34656997 PMCID: PMC9807242 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2021-107729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human coenzyme Q4 (COQ4) is essential for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) biosynthesis. Pathogenic variants in COQ4 cause childhood-onset neurodegeneration. We aimed to delineate the clinical spectrum and the cellular consequences of COQ4 deficiency. METHODS Clinical course and neuroradiological findings in a large cohort of paediatric patients with COQ4 deficiency were analysed. Functional studies in patient-derived cell lines were performed. RESULTS We characterised 44 individuals from 36 families with COQ4 deficiency (16 newly described). A total of 23 different variants were identified, including four novel variants in COQ4. Correlation analyses of clinical and neuroimaging findings revealed three disease patterns: type 1: early-onset phenotype with neonatal brain anomalies and epileptic encephalopathy; type 2: intermediate phenotype with distinct stroke-like lesions; and type 3: moderate phenotype with non-specific brain pathology and a stable disease course. The functional relevance of COQ4 variants was supported by in vitro studies using patient-derived fibroblast lines. Experiments revealed significantly decreased COQ4 protein levels, reduced levels of cellular CoQ10 and elevated levels of the metabolic intermediate 6-demethoxyubiquinone. CONCLUSION Our study describes the heterogeneous clinical presentation of COQ4 deficiency and identifies phenotypic subtypes. Cell-based studies support the pathogenic characteristics of COQ4 variants. Due to the insufficient clinical response to oral CoQ10 supplementation, alternative treatment strategies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Laugwitz
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annette Seibt
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Diran Herebian
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Susana Peralta
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Imke Kienzle
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ruth Falb
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Darja Gauck
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Amelie Müller
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mona Grimmel
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Beck-Woedel
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jan Kern
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karim Daliri
- Child Developmental Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran,Institute for Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pegah Katibeh
- Child Developmental Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Katharina Danhauser
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany,Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuer Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Steffen Leiz
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Dritter Orden, Munich, Germany
| | - Viola Alesi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabian Baertling
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gessica Vasco
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Unit of Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Matias Wagner
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany,Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuer Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ahmet Okay Caglayan
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hakan Gumus
- Department of Pediatrics, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Margit Burmeister
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ertan Mayatepek
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Diego Martinelli
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Pascal Joset
- Medical Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Steindl
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anita Rauch
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Penelope E Bonnen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tawfiq Froukh
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Philadelphia University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ingeborg Krägeloh-Mann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,Center for Rare Disease, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Felix Distelmaier
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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β-RA Targets Mitochondrial Metabolism and Adipogenesis, Leading to Therapeutic Benefits against CoQ Deficiency and Age-Related Overweight. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101457. [PMID: 34680574 PMCID: PMC8533582 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations in mitochondrial or nuclear genes, leading to the abnormal function of specific mitochondrial pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also a secondary event in more common pathophysiological conditions, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. In both cases, the improvement and management of mitochondrial homeostasis remain challenging. Here, we show that beta-resorcylic acid (β-RA), which is a natural phenolic compound, competed in vivo with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, which is the natural precursor of coenzyme Q biosynthesis. This led to a decrease in demethoxyubiquinone, which is an intermediate metabolite of CoQ biosynthesis that is abnormally accumulated in Coq9R239X mice. As a consequence, β-RA rescued the phenotype of Coq9R239X mice, which is a model of primary mitochondrial encephalopathy. Moreover, we observed that long-term treatment with β-RA also reduced the size and content of the white adipose tissue (WAT) that is normally accumulated during aging in wild-type mice, leading to the prevention of hepatic steatosis and an increase in survival at the elderly stage of life. The reduction in WAT content was due to a decrease in adipogenesis, an adaptation of the mitochondrial proteome in the kidneys, and stimulation of glycolysis and acetyl-CoA metabolism. Therefore, our results demonstrate that β-RA acted through different cellular mechanisms, with effects on mitochondrial metabolism; as such, it may be used for the treatment of primary coenzyme Q deficiency, overweight, and hepatic steatosis.
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Schijvens AM, van de Kar NC, Bootsma-Robroeks CM, Cornelissen EA, van den Heuvel LP, Schreuder MF. Mitochondrial Disease and the Kidney With a Special Focus on CoQ 10 Deficiency. Kidney Int Rep 2020; 5:2146-2159. [PMID: 33305107 PMCID: PMC7710892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2020.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial cytopathies include a heterogeneous group of diseases that are characterized by impaired oxidative phosphorylation, leading to multi-organ involvement and progressive clinical deterioration. Most mitochondrial cytopathies that cause kidney symptoms are characterized by tubular defects, but glomerular, tubulointerstitial, and cystic diseases have also been described. Mitochondrial cytopathies can result from mitochondrial or nuclear DNA mutations. Early recognition of defects in the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) biosynthesis is important, as patients with primary CoQ10 deficiency may be responsive to treatment with oral CoQ10 supplementation, in contrast to most mitochondrial diseases. A literature search was conducted to investigate kidney involvement in genetic mitochondrial cytopathies and to identify mitochondrial and nuclear DNA mutations involved in mitochondrial kidney disease. Furthermore, we identified all reported cases to date with a CoQ10 deficiency with glomerular involvement, including 3 patients with variable renal phenotypes in our clinic. To date, 144 patients from 95 families with a primary CoQ10 deficiency and glomerular involvement have been described based on mutations in PDSS1, PDSS2, COQ2, COQ6, and COQ8B/ADCK4. This review provides an overview of kidney involvement in genetic mitochondrial cytopathies with a special focus on CoQ10 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Schijvens
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole C. van de Kar
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte M. Bootsma-Robroeks
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth A. Cornelissen
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lambertus P. van den Heuvel
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Development and Regeneration,University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michiel F. Schreuder
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Compound heterozygous inheritance of two novel COQ2 variants results in familial coenzyme Q deficiency. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:320. [PMID: 33187544 PMCID: PMC7662744 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01600-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency is a rare disease that results in diverse and variable clinical manifestations. Nephropathy, myopathy and neurologic involvement are commonly associated, however retinopathy has also been observed with certain pathogenic variants of genes in the coenzyme Q biosynthesis pathway. In this report, we describe a novel presentation of the disease that includes nephropathy and retinopathy without neurological involvement, and which is the result of a compound heterozygous state arising from the inheritance of two recessive potentially pathogenic variants, previously not described. Materials and methods Retrospective report, with complete ophthalmic examination, multimodal imaging, electroretinography, and whole exome sequencing performed on a family with three affected siblings. Results We show that affected individuals in the described family inherited two heterozygous variants of the COQ2 gene, resulting in a frameshift variant in one allele, and a predicted deleterious missense variant in the second allele (c.288dupC,p.(Ala97Argfs*56) and c.376C > G,p.(Arg126Gly) respectively). Electroretinography results were consistent with rod-cone dystrophy in the affected individuals. All affected individuals in the family exhibited the characteristic retinopathy as well as end-stage nephropathy, without evidence of any neurological involvement. Conclusions We identified two novel compound heterozygous variants of the COQ2 gene that result in primary coenzyme Q deficiency. Targeted sequencing of coenzyme Q biosynthetic pathway genes may be useful in diagnosing oculorenal clinical presentations syndromes not explained by more well known syndromes (e.g., Senior-Loken and Bardet-Biedl syndromes).
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10
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Fernández-Del-Río L, Kelly ME, Contreras J, Bradley MC, James AM, Murphy MP, Payne GS, Clarke CF. Genes and lipids that impact uptake and assimilation of exogenous coenzyme Q in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 154:105-118. [PMID: 32387128 PMCID: PMC7611304 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential player in the respiratory electron transport chain and is the only lipid-soluble antioxidant synthesized endogenously in mammalian and yeast cells. In humans, genetic mutations, pathologies, certain medical treatments, and aging, result in CoQ deficiencies, which are linked to mitochondrial, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. The only strategy available for these patients is CoQ supplementation. CoQ supplements benefit a small subset of patients, but the poor solubility of CoQ greatly limits treatment efficacy. Consequently, the efficient delivery of CoQ to the mitochondria and restoration of respiratory function remains a major challenge. A better understanding of CoQ uptake and mitochondrial delivery is crucial to make this molecule a more efficient and effective therapeutic tool. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of CoQ uptake and distribution using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. The addition of exogenous CoQ was tested for the ability to restore growth on non-fermentable medium in several strains that lack CoQ synthesis (coq mutants). Surprisingly, we discovered that the presence of CoQ biosynthetic intermediates impairs assimilation of CoQ into a functional respiratory chain in yeast cells. Moreover, a screen of 40 gene deletions considered to be candidates to prevent exogenous CoQ from rescuing growth of the CoQ-less coq2Δ mutant, identified six novel genes (CDC10, RTS1, RVS161, RVS167, VPS1, and NAT3) as necessary for efficient trafficking of CoQ to mitochondria. The proteins encoded by these genes represent essential steps in the pathways responsible for transport of exogenously supplied CoQ to its functional sites in the cell, and definitively associate CoQ distribution with endocytosis and intracellular vesicular trafficking pathways conserved from yeast to human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Fernández-Del-Río
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Miranda E Kelly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jaime Contreras
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Michelle C Bradley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Andrew M James
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael P Murphy
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Gregory S Payne
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Catherine F Clarke
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
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11
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Berardo A, Quinzii CM. Redefining infantile-onset multisystem phenotypes of coenzyme Q 10-deficiency in the next-generation sequencing era. JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL GENETICS AND GENOMICS 2020; 4:22-35. [PMID: 33426503 PMCID: PMC7791541 DOI: 10.20517/jtgg.2020.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Primary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency encompasses a subset of mitochondrial diseases caused by mutations affecting proteins involved in the CoQ10 biosynthetic pathway. One of the most frequent clinical syndromes associated with primary CoQ10 deficiency is the severe infantile multisystemic form, which, until recently, was underdiagnosed. In the last few years, the availability of genetic screening through whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing has enabled molecular diagnosis in a growing number of patients with this syndrome and has revealed new disease phenotypes and molecular defects in CoQ10 biosynthetic pathway genes. Early genetic screening can rapidly and non-invasively diagnose primary CoQ10 deficiencies. Early diagnosis is particularly important in cases of CoQ10 deficient steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, which frequently improves with treatment. In contrast, the infantile multisystemic forms of CoQ10 deficiency, particularly when manifesting with encephalopathy, present therapeutic challenges, due to poor responses to CoQ10 supplementation. Administration of CoQ10 biosynthetic intermediate compounds is a promising alternative to CoQ10; however, further pre-clinical studies are needed to establish their safety and efficacy, as well as to elucidate the mechanism of actions of the intermediates. Here, we review the molecular defects causes of the multisystemic infantile phenotype of primary CoQ10 deficiency, genotype-phenotype correlations, and recent therapeutic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Berardo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Catarina M Quinzii
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Berenguel Hernández AM, de la Cruz M, Alcázar-Fabra M, Prieto-Rodríguez A, Sánchez-Cuesta A, Martin J, Tormo JR, Rodríguez-Aguilera JC, Cortés-Rodríguez AB, Navas P, Reyes F, Vicente F, Genilloud O, Santos-Ocaña C. Design of High-Throughput Screening of Natural Extracts to Identify Molecules Bypassing Primary Coenzyme Q Deficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. SLAS DISCOVERY 2019; 25:299-309. [PMID: 31751168 DOI: 10.1177/2472555219877185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency syndrome is a rare disease included in the family of mitochondrial diseases, which is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterized by defective energy production. CoQ10 biosynthesis in humans requires at least 11 gene products acting in a multiprotein complex within mitochondria. The high-throughput screening (HTS) method based on the stabilization of the CoQ biosynthesis complex (Q-synthome) produced by the COQ8 gene overexpression is proven here to be a successful method for identifying new molecules from natural extracts that are able to bypass the CoQ6 deficiency in yeast mutant cells. The main features of the new approach are the combination of two yeast targets defective in genes with different functions on CoQ6 biosynthesis to secure the versatility of the molecule identified, the use of glycerol as a nonfermentable carbon source providing a wide growth window, and the stringent conditions required to mark an extract as positive. The application of this pilot approach to a representative subset of 1200 samples of the Library of Natural Products of Fundación MEDINA resulted in the finding of nine positive extracts. The fractionation of three of the nine extracts allowed the identification of five molecules; two of them are present in molecule databases of natural extracts and three are nondescribed molecules. The use of this screening method opens the possibility of discovering molecules with CoQ10-bypassing action useful as therapeutic agents to fight against mitochondrial diseases in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Alcázar-Fabra
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ana Sánchez-Cuesta
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Juan Carlos Rodríguez-Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Cortés-Rodríguez
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Plácido Navas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Santos-Ocaña
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Vanillic Acid Restores Coenzyme Q Biosynthesis and ATP Production in Human Cells Lacking COQ6. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:3904905. [PMID: 31379988 PMCID: PMC6652073 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3904905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Coenzyme Q (CoQ), a redox-active lipid, is comprised of a quinone group and a polyisoprenoid tail. It is an electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, a cofactor of other mitochondrial dehydrogenases, and an essential antioxidant. CoQ requires a large set of enzymes for its biosynthesis; mutations in genes encoding these proteins cause primary CoQ deficiency, a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases. Patients with CoQ deficiency often respond to oral CoQ10 supplementation. Treatment is however problematic because of the low bioavailability of CoQ10 and the poor tissue delivery. In recent years, bypass therapy using analogues of the precursor of the aromatic ring of CoQ has been proposed as a promising alternative. We have previously shown using a yeast model that vanillic acid (VA) can bypass mutations of COQ6, a monooxygenase required for the hydroxylation of the C5 carbon of the ring. In this work, we have generated a human cell line lacking functional COQ6 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We show that these cells cannot synthesize CoQ and display severe ATP deficiency. Treatment with VA can recover CoQ biosynthesis and ATP production. Moreover, these cells display increased ROS production, which is only partially corrected by exogenous CoQ, while VA restores ROS to normal levels. Furthermore, we show that these cells accumulate 3-decaprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, suggesting that in mammals, the decarboxylation and C1 hydroxylation reactions occur before or independently of the C5 hydroxylation. Finally, we show that COQ6 isoform c (transcript NM_182480) does not encode an active enzyme. VA can be produced in the liver by the oxidation of vanillin, a nontoxic compound commonly used as a food additive, and crosses the blood-brain barrier. These characteristics make it a promising compound for the treatment of patients with CoQ deficiency due to COQ6 mutations.
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Hidalgo-Gutiérrez A, Barriocanal-Casado E, Bakkali M, Díaz-Casado ME, Sánchez-Maldonado L, Romero M, Sayed RK, Prehn C, Escames G, Duarte J, Acuña-Castroviejo D, López LC. β-RA reduces DMQ/CoQ ratio and rescues the encephalopathic phenotype in Coq9R239X mice. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 11:e9466. [PMID: 30482867 PMCID: PMC6328940 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201809466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiency has been associated with primary defects in the CoQ biosynthetic pathway or to secondary events. In some cases, the exogenous CoQ supplementation has limited efficacy. In the Coq9R239X mouse model with fatal mitochondrial encephalopathy due to CoQ deficiency, we have tested the therapeutic potential of β-resorcylic acid (β-RA), a structural analog of the CoQ precursor 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and the anti-inflammatory salicylic acid. β-RA noticeably rescued the phenotypic, morphological, and histopathological signs of the encephalopathy, leading to a significant increase in the survival. Those effects were due to the decrease of the levels of demethoxyubiquinone-9 (DMQ9) and the increase of mitochondrial bioenergetics in peripheral tissues. However, neither CoQ biosynthesis nor mitochondrial function changed in the brain after the therapy, suggesting that some endocrine interactions may induce the reduction of the astrogliosis, spongiosis, and the secondary down-regulation of astrocytes-related neuroinflammatory genes. Because the therapeutic outcomes of β-RA administration were superior to those after CoQ10 supplementation, its use in the clinic should be considered in CoQ deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Hidalgo-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Eliana Barriocanal-Casado
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Mohammed Bakkali
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - M Elena Díaz-Casado
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-Maldonado
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Romero
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ramy K Sayed
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Cornelia Prehn
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Genome Analysis Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Germaine Escames
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Duarte
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Darío Acuña-Castroviejo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Granada, Spain
| | - Luis C López
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Granada, Spain
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