Potentiating effect of coenzyme Q on root potentials of perfused frog's spinal cord.

One of the biologically active quinones, coenzyme Q (CoQ), is widely distributed in nature and primarily localized in the mitochondria of animal cells (1, 2). There is con siderable evidence to support the fact that CoQ may be an important carrier for mediating between flavoprotein and cytochrome chains in mitochondria (3, 4). On the other hand, there is considerable literature on the pharmacologic action of exogenous CoQ (5, 6), however, reports investigating structure-activity relationship, e.g. relationships between the activity and the polyisoprenoid side chains or the quinone ring, etc. are few. The mechanism of action of CoQ also has not been ascertained. To clarify these points, effect of CoQ on the root potentials of perfused frog's spinal cord was investigated.