The cytochrome bc (cyt bc) complexes are involved in Q-cycling; they oxidize membrane quinols by high-potential electron acceptors, such as cytochromes or plastocyanin, and generate transmembrane proton gradient. In several prokaryotic lineages, and also in plant chloroplasts, the catalytic core of the cyt bc complexes is built of a four-helical cytochrome b (cyt b) that contains three hemes, a...

In the area of photoyellowing of mechanical pulps, recently obtained experimental evidence has shown that hydroquinone/p-quinone redox couple is present in lignin-rich mechanical pulps. It was also noted that compared to a control pulp the concentration of pquinones was significantly higher in a photoyellowed pulp. Under ambient conditions, upon exposure to light, the existent pulp hydroquinone...

BACKGROUND NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), an obligate two-electron reductase, plays an important role in reducing reactive quinones to less reactive and less toxic hydroquinones. Genetic variations in NQO1 gene that impede its enzyme function may be considered as putative risk factor for cancer. Numerous studies have been performed to investigate the association between NQO1 Pro187...

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) converts benzene-derived quinones to less toxic hydroquinones and has been implicated in benzene-associated hematotoxicity. A point mutation in codon 187 (Pro to Ser) results in complete loss of enzyme activity in homozygous subjects, whereas those with 2 wild-type alleles have normal activity. The frequency of homozygosity for the mutant allele among Cauca...

The alternative oxidase of Moniliella tomentosa mitochondria is stimulated by 5'-AMP. This effect may be masked, depending on the isolation procedure of the mitochondria. The preparation of submitochondrial particles results in the expression of the 5'-AMP effect. Two more methods are now described to reveal the 5'-AMP effect whenever it would be masked: (1) switching on the myokinase activity ...

Nitric monoxide (NO) exerts a great variety of physiological functions. L-Arginine supplies amino groups which are transformed to NO in various NO-synthase-active isoenzyme complexes. NO-synthesis is stimulated under various conditions increasing the tissue of stable NO-metabolites. The major oxidation product found is nitrite. Elevated nitrite levels were reported to exist in a variety of dise...

Type II NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) catalyzes the transfer electrons from NADH to the quinone pool and plays an essential role in the oxidative phosphorylation system of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The absence of NDH-2 in the mammalian mitochondrial electron transport chain makes this enzyme an attractive target for antibiotic development. To fully establish the kinetic properties...

Superoxide activates nucleotide-sensitive mitochondrial proton transport through the uncoupling proteins UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 (Echtay, K. S., et al. (2002) Nature 415, 1482-1486). Two possible mechanisms were proposed: direct activation of the UCP proton transport mechanism by superoxide or its products and a cycle of hydroperoxyl radical entry coupled to UCP-catalyzed superoxide anion export. ...

A novel metabolite of d-&tocopherol was isolated from the urine of rats given d-3,4-[sH2]-6-tocopherol intravenously. The metabolite was collected from the urine of rats given d-&tocopherol in the same manner as that of the labeled compound. It was found that the metabolites consisted of sulfate conjugates. The portion of the major metabolite released with sulfatase was determined to be 2,8-dim...

Heteroaromatic quinols 4-(benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone (1) and 4-(1-benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-4-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone (2) exhibit potent and selective antitumor activity against colon, renal, and breast carcinoma cell lines in vitro (GI50 < 500 nmol/L). In vivo growth inhibition of renal, colon, and breast xenografts has been observed. Profound G2-M cell cycle b...