INTERNATIONAL COENZYME Q10 ASSOCIATION
@icq10a.bsky.social
Scientific Association to disseminate the science around the different functions of coenzyme Q10
Then came a key discovery: inhibiting lysosomal function—either blocking acid lipase (Lalistat-1) or preventing lysosomal acidification (Baf-A1)—also increased cellular CoQ. That means the lysosome is involved in CoQ degradation or recycling. When blocked, more CoQ accumulates.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Then came a key discovery: inhibiting lysosomal function—either blocking acid lipase (Lalistat-1) or preventing lysosomal acidification (Baf-A1)—also increased cellular CoQ. That means the lysosome is involved in CoQ degradation or recycling. When blocked, more CoQ accumulates.
Because synthesis didn’t seem to explain the findings, the authors tested whether COQ biosynthesis proteins changed. Most COQ proteins were unchanged. COQ7 even decreased with iron, meaning synthesis was not being ramped up. Trafficking remained the main suspect.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Because synthesis didn’t seem to explain the findings, the authors tested whether COQ biosynthesis proteins changed. Most COQ proteins were unchanged. COQ7 even decreased with iron, meaning synthesis was not being ramped up. Trafficking remained the main suspect.
The team explored whether this effect depends on redox biology. Using NAC, an antioxidant, they found that NAC significantly reduced the CoQ-boosting effect of iron and paraquat. Both iron and a ROS-generating compound elevated CoQ, supporting a redox-linked mechanism.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The team explored whether this effect depends on redox biology. Using NAC, an antioxidant, they found that NAC significantly reduced the CoQ-boosting effect of iron and paraquat. Both iron and a ROS-generating compound elevated CoQ, supporting a redox-linked mechanism.
To test how cells handle external CoQ10, they supplied CoQ10 in micelles and then added iron. Iron massively increased the accumulation of this exogenous CoQ10 beyond either treatment alone. So iron improves both endogenous and imported CoQ retention.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
To test how cells handle external CoQ10, they supplied CoQ10 in micelles and then added iron. Iron massively increased the accumulation of this exogenous CoQ10 beyond either treatment alone. So iron improves both endogenous and imported CoQ retention.
To see whether iron was boosting CoQ by increasing its production, the team measured CoQ inside mitochondria, where it’s made. Iron barely changed mitochondrial CoQ while whole-cell CoQ rose sharply, pointing to changes in trafficking rather than synthesis.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
To see whether iron was boosting CoQ by increasing its production, the team measured CoQ inside mitochondria, where it’s made. Iron barely changed mitochondrial CoQ while whole-cell CoQ rose sharply, pointing to changes in trafficking rather than synthesis.
The researchers worked with several cell types, including RAW264.7 macrophages, and supplemented them with ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Surprisingly, iron rapidly and strongly increased total cellular CoQ—much more than expected if synthesis alone were responsible.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The researchers worked with several cell types, including RAW264.7 macrophages, and supplemented them with ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Surprisingly, iron rapidly and strongly increased total cellular CoQ—much more than expected if synthesis alone were responsible.
Coenzyme Q is essential for energy production and antioxidant defense, but cells can lose it when synthesis drops. This new study explores an unexpected idea: instead of increasing CoQ production, what if we could boost CoQ by changing how cells traffic and recycle it?
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Coenzyme Q is essential for energy production and antioxidant defense, but cells can lose it when synthesis drops. This new study explores an unexpected idea: instead of increasing CoQ production, what if we could boost CoQ by changing how cells traffic and recycle it?
What makes this program special is its dual setting: one month in Ancona for academic training, followed by three months in Beiersdorf’s Hamburg labs. Participants work on a real industrial project, experiencing both scientific and applied research.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
What makes this program special is its dual setting: one month in Ancona for academic training, followed by three months in Beiersdorf’s Hamburg labs. Participants work on a real industrial project, experiencing both scientific and applied research.
The course explores the mechanisms of skin ageing with a strong focus on redox biology, mitochondrial health, and CoQ10 pathways. Students will gain advanced insights into how oxidative stress shapes cellular function and how CoQ10 supports skin physiology.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The course explores the mechanisms of skin ageing with a strong focus on redox biology, mitochondrial health, and CoQ10 pathways. Students will gain advanced insights into how oxidative stress shapes cellular function and how CoQ10 supports skin physiology.
Great news for students and young researchers! The Polytechnic University of Marche, together with Beiersdorf, is launching the 2nd edition of an advanced course on skin ageing, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the biology of CoQ10.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Great news for students and young researchers! The Polytechnic University of Marche, together with Beiersdorf, is launching the 2nd edition of an advanced course on skin ageing, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the biology of CoQ10.
They then measured reactive oxygen species in mitochondria and the cytosol. Some mutations produced far more ROS than controls. After ubiquinol, two cell lines improved, but one with a C-terminal deletion showed no benefit, remaining highly stressed.
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
They then measured reactive oxygen species in mitochondria and the cytosol. Some mutations produced far more ROS than controls. After ubiquinol, two cell lines improved, but one with a C-terminal deletion showed no benefit, remaining highly stressed.
Rett syndrome is a rare disorder mainly affecting girls, and scientists are trying to understand why cells struggle to produce energy. A new study looks at mitochondria in patient-derived fibroblasts and uncovers a clear imbalance tied to CoQ10 levels.
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Rett syndrome is a rare disorder mainly affecting girls, and scientists are trying to understand why cells struggle to produce energy. A new study looks at mitochondria in patient-derived fibroblasts and uncovers a clear imbalance tied to CoQ10 levels.
Another gene, ECHS1, was also flagged. Though known for fatty acid metabolism, it turns out ECHS1 regulates mitochondrial function independently, affecting key enzymes like pyruvate dehydrogenase. 🧠🧪
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Another gene, ECHS1, was also flagged. Though known for fatty acid metabolism, it turns out ECHS1 regulates mitochondrial function independently, affecting key enzymes like pyruvate dehydrogenase. 🧠🧪
Without RTN4IP1, complex I activity vanishes and oxygen consumption in mitochondria drops sharply. The cells simply can’t survive under mitochondrial stress conditions. 💀
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Without RTN4IP1, complex I activity vanishes and oxygen consumption in mitochondria drops sharply. The cells simply can’t survive under mitochondrial stress conditions. 💀
One standout hit was RTN4IP1. Previously a mystery, this gene turned out to be essential for mitochondrial respiration and the full assembly of complex I—the first link in the respiratory chain. 🔧🧬
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
One standout hit was RTN4IP1. Previously a mystery, this gene turned out to be essential for mitochondrial respiration and the full assembly of complex I—the first link in the respiratory chain. 🔧🧬
Zamora-Dorta and colleagues built a custom CRISPR library targeting nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. Their goal? Find new regulators of OXPHOS—not just the usual suspects. 🧬🔍
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Zamora-Dorta and colleagues built a custom CRISPR library targeting nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. Their goal? Find new regulators of OXPHOS—not just the usual suspects. 🧬🔍
Did you know a little-known gene might be key to understanding severe mitochondrial diseases like Leigh syndrome? A new study sheds light on RTN4IP1 and its crucial role in cellular energy. Let’s dive in. 👇
July 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Did you know a little-known gene might be key to understanding severe mitochondrial diseases like Leigh syndrome? A new study sheds light on RTN4IP1 and its crucial role in cellular energy. Let’s dive in. 👇
CoQ10 could be more than a supplement. With the right drugs, we might help the body recycle and retain it better—opening new paths for treating mitochondrial diseases.
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
CoQ10 could be more than a supplement. With the right drugs, we might help the body recycle and retain it better—opening new paths for treating mitochondrial diseases.
One oral drug (already approved for other uses) did just that. It raised intracellular and mitochondrial CoQ levels, rescuing energy production in deficient cells. This could signal a new way to treat CoQ deficiencies—through recycling, not just production.
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
One oral drug (already approved for other uses) did just that. It raised intracellular and mitochondrial CoQ levels, rescuing energy production in deficient cells. This could signal a new way to treat CoQ deficiencies—through recycling, not just production.
The big insight? Some drugs can boost CoQ10 inside cells without making more of it in mitochondria. How? By helping cells hold on to their CoQ longer—possibly by enhancing a recycling system we never fully appreciated.
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The big insight? Some drugs can boost CoQ10 inside cells without making more of it in mitochondria. How? By helping cells hold on to their CoQ longer—possibly by enhancing a recycling system we never fully appreciated.
Years of research paved the way for drug screenings—searching for compounds that could help people who can’t make enough CoQ10 naturally. One surprising find? Caspofungin, an antifungal drug, might be a game-changer.
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Years of research paved the way for drug screenings—searching for compounds that could help people who can’t make enough CoQ10 naturally. One surprising find? Caspofungin, an antifungal drug, might be a game-changer.
CoQ10 is vital for energy production in our cells. Without it, our mitochondria—the cell’s "power plants"—struggle to function. Hekimi's lab has explored CoQ in worms, mice, and even patient cells to understand its biology and how to fix its deficiencies.
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
CoQ10 is vital for energy production in our cells. Without it, our mitochondria—the cell’s "power plants"—struggle to function. Hekimi's lab has explored CoQ in worms, mice, and even patient cells to understand its biology and how to fix its deficiencies.
What do worms, mice, and a common antifungal have in common? 🧬🪱🧪 They’re all part of a journey to understand and potentially treat coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency. Here's what we learned from Siegfried Hekimi’s keynote in Copenhagen. 🧵 #11thConferenceICQ10A
June 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
What do worms, mice, and a common antifungal have in common? 🧬🪱🧪 They’re all part of a journey to understand and potentially treat coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency. Here's what we learned from Siegfried Hekimi’s keynote in Copenhagen. 🧵 #11thConferenceICQ10A
#11thConferenceICQ10A
The 11th International Coenzyme Q10 Congress is underway! Professor Plácido Navas officially welcomed speakers and attendees to three days packed with cutting-edge lectures, oral communications, masterclasses, and dynamic poster sessions on all things CoQ10.
The 11th International Coenzyme Q10 Congress is underway! Professor Plácido Navas officially welcomed speakers and attendees to three days packed with cutting-edge lectures, oral communications, masterclasses, and dynamic poster sessions on all things CoQ10.
June 17, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#11thConferenceICQ10A
The 11th International Coenzyme Q10 Congress is underway! Professor Plácido Navas officially welcomed speakers and attendees to three days packed with cutting-edge lectures, oral communications, masterclasses, and dynamic poster sessions on all things CoQ10.
The 11th International Coenzyme Q10 Congress is underway! Professor Plácido Navas officially welcomed speakers and attendees to three days packed with cutting-edge lectures, oral communications, masterclasses, and dynamic poster sessions on all things CoQ10.
CoQ10 is an essential molecule for energy production in cells. It plays a key role in mitochondrial function and acts as an antioxidant. However, some genetic mutations can lead to low CoQ10 levels, potentially contributing to neurological disorders.
February 28, 2025 at 8:49 AM
CoQ10 is an essential molecule for energy production in cells. It plays a key role in mitochondrial function and acts as an antioxidant. However, some genetic mutations can lead to low CoQ10 levels, potentially contributing to neurological disorders.