How plants synthesize coenzyme Q.

Jing-Jing Xu, Mei Hu, Lei Yang, Xiao-Ya Chen

Journal: Plant communications 2022;3(5):100341

PMID: 35614856

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Abstract

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a conserved redox-active lipid that has a wide distribution across the domains of life. CoQ plays a key role in the oxidative electron transfer chain and serves as a crucial antioxidant in cellular membranes. Our understanding of CoQ biosynthesis in eukaryotes has come mostly from studies of yeast. Recently, significant advances have been made in understanding CoQ biosynthesis in plants. Unique mitochondrial flavin-dependent monooxygenase and benzenoid ring precursor biosynthetic pathways have been discovered, providing new insights into the diversity of CoQ biosynthetic pathways and the evolution of phototrophic eukaryotes. We summarize research progress on CoQ biosynthesis and regulation in plants and recent efforts to increase the CoQ content in plant foods.

Address: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China; Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China; Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201602, China.; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics and Resources, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China; State Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences/Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, University of CAS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.

DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100341

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MeSH Terms: Mitochondria, Oxidation-Reduction, Plants, Ubiquinone