Effects of the Coenzyme Q 10 Analog 6-Bromo-ubiquinone (6-Br-Q 0 C 10 ) on Mammalian Cell Growth

Abstract Synthetic 6-Br-Q 0 C 10 has been shown to exhibit a partial electron transfer activity of native coenzyme Q in the isolated mitochondria. It reduces energy coupling efficiency by approximately 30%, suggesting that it may be useful in modulating cell growth in tissue culture. Whether or not it behaves in the same way in the whole cells, or animal, however, has not yet been fully examined. Recently we have investigated the effect of 6-Br-Q 0 C 10 across multiple cell lines using three detection methods. Treatment with 6-Br-Q 0 C 10 reduces cell proliferation in all cell lines tested, with different effectiveness. Obesity-related cell lines were the most susceptible, and a pronounced inhibitory effect was also observed in cancer cell lines. These results strengthen the idea of using 6-Br-Q 0 C 10 to manage obesity or to retard the growth of rate cancer cells and thus prolonging life.