Tyrosinase exhibits catalytic activity for the ortho-hydroxylation of monophenols to diphenols as well as their subsequent oxidation to quinones. Owing to polymerization of these quinones, brown-coloured high-molecular-weight compounds called melanins are generated. The latent precursor form of polyphenol oxidase 4, one of the six tyrosinase isoforms from Agaricus bisporus, was purified to homo...

Many xenobiotics, including naturally occurring compounds, drugs, and environmental agents, are metabolized both in vivo and in vitro to free-radical intermediates. The one-electron reduction of nitroaromatic compounds, quinones, and a wide variety of other chemicals is catalyzed enzymatically by a number of reductases and dehydrogenases. Structure-activity studies have shown that the cytotoxic...

Quinone oxidoreductases are a class of membrane enzymes that catalyse the oxidation or reduction of membrane-bound quinols/quinones. The conversion of quinone/quinol by these enzymes is difficult to study because of the hydrophobic nature of the enzymes and their substrates. We describe some biochemical properties of quinones and quinone oxidoreductases and then look in more detail at two model...

A generally applicable direct synthesis of cyanoarenes from quinones is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the preparation of precursors and target molecules relevant for organic materials, including halogenated cyanoarenes and larger cyanated acenes. The reaction and work-up protocols are adjusted for the challenges presented by the different substrates and products. Screening results...

This review considers the interaction of Complex I with different redox acceptors, mainly homologs and analogs of the physiological acceptor, hydrophobic Coenzyme Q. After examining the physical properties of the different quinones and their efficacy in restoring mitochondrial respiration, a survey ensues of the advantages and drawbacks of the quinones commonly used in Complex I activity determ...

The synthesis of 3-amino-2-methoxycarbonyl-4,7-dimethoxybenzo[b]thiophene (5) and benzothieno[3,2-d][1,3]oxazin 15 from 3,6-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzaldehyde (1) is reported. Benzo[b]thiophene-4,7-quinones 9 and 10 were prepared in good yields by oxidative deprotection of the corresponding dimethoxybenzothiophenes 8 and 7. Cycloaddition reaction of quinone 8 with 1-(E)-trimethylsilyloxy-1,3-butadie...