INTERNATIONAL COENZYME Q10 ASSOCIATION
@icq10a.bsky.social
Scientific Association to disseminate the science around the different functions of coenzyme Q10
Link to full article: Wang, Ying Hekimi, Sigfried. Elevated cellular accumulation of endogenous and exogenous CoQ by altered intracellular trafficking. Journal of Biological Chemistry, Volume 0, Issue 0, 110878
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Elevated cellular accumulation of endogenous and exogenous CoQ by altered intracellular trafficking
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is produced in the inner membrane of mitochondria, from where it is transported to other cellular membranes. Cellular CoQ levels drop…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Link to full article: Wang, Ying Hekimi, Sigfried. Elevated cellular accumulation of endogenous and exogenous CoQ by altered intracellular trafficking. Journal of Biological Chemistry, Volume 0, Issue 0, 110878
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The study concludes that cells regulate CoQ levels not only by synthesis but through trafficking, recycling, and lysosomal processing. Targeting these pathways could one day help patients with CoQ deficiencies by boosting cellular CoQ without relying solely on supplements.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The study concludes that cells regulate CoQ levels not only by synthesis but through trafficking, recycling, and lysosomal processing. Targeting these pathways could one day help patients with CoQ deficiencies by boosting cellular CoQ without relying solely on supplements.
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.
Interestingly, iron did not globally increase ROS levels, even though its effect was redox-sensitive. This means the mechanism isn’t driven by oxidative stress but by subtle intracellular redox interactions that affect CoQ handling rather than damage pathways.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Interestingly, iron did not globally increase ROS levels, even though its effect was redox-sensitive. This means the mechanism isn’t driven by oxidative stress but by subtle intracellular redox interactions that affect CoQ handling rather than damage pathways.
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 effect of iron happened fast, becoming clear within hours. Even more interesting, when iron was removed, CoQ levels dropped back to normal, showing the boost is reversible. This suggests dynamism, not permanent metabolic rewiring.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The effect of iron happened fast, becoming clear within hours. Even more interesting, when iron was removed, CoQ levels dropped back to normal, showing the boost is reversible. This suggests dynamism, not permanent metabolic rewiring.
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.
Applications are now open. Please spread the word to motivated students and early-career researchers. More details will be available soon on the ICQA webpage. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-level program shaping future experts in skin ageing.
icq10a.com
icq10a.com
International Coenzyme Q10 Association
The International Coenzyme Q10 Association is a nonprofit association, which aims to promote research on the biomedical aspects of Q10.
icq10a.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Applications are now open. Please spread the word to motivated students and early-career researchers. More details will be available soon on the ICQA webpage. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-level program shaping future experts in skin ageing.
icq10a.com
icq10a.com
Labs, supervisors and institutions are encouraged to share this opportunity. It’s a rare chance for young scientists to explore both academic and industrial research, gaining skills that bridge fundamental biology with real-world innovation.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Labs, supervisors and institutions are encouraged to share this opportunity. It’s a rare chance for young scientists to explore both academic and industrial research, gaining skills that bridge fundamental biology with real-world innovation.
The course is especially relevant for the CoQ10 research community, offering insights into mitochondrial pathways and the functional role of CoQ10 in skin biology. It provides valuable knowledge for anyone working on oxidative stress and ageing.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The course is especially relevant for the CoQ10 research community, offering insights into mitochondrial pathways and the functional role of CoQ10 in skin biology. It provides valuable knowledge for anyone working on oxidative stress and ageing.
Selected students receive a €2,000 scholarship, and Beiersdorf fully covers accommodation and meals in Hamburg. This makes the program accessible and reduces financial pressure, allowing participants to focus on training and scientific growth.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Selected students receive a €2,000 scholarship, and Beiersdorf fully covers accommodation and meals in Hamburg. This makes the program accessible and reduces financial pressure, allowing participants to focus on training and scientific growth.
The program welcomes Master students, PhD candidates, and postdocs interested in ageing, mitochondria, redox biology or skin science. Previous experience is helpful but not essential—curiosity, motivation, and commitment are what matter most.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The program welcomes Master students, PhD candidates, and postdocs interested in ageing, mitochondria, redox biology or skin science. Previous experience is helpful but not essential—curiosity, motivation, and commitment are what matter most.
This initiative is educational, not commercial, and aims to promote collaboration between universities and industry. Only twelve highly motivated participants will be selected, ensuring close mentorship and a truly immersive scientific experience.
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This initiative is educational, not commercial, and aims to promote collaboration between universities and industry. Only twelve highly motivated participants will be selected, ensuring close mentorship and a truly immersive scientific experience.
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.
The first edition was highly successful, bringing students into a unique environment where academic research meets industrial innovation. This new edition continues that mission, offering deep scientific training blended with real-world applications.
www.beiersdorf.com/career/stude...
www.beiersdorf.com/career/stude...
Unique Program with Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona
www.beiersdorf.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The first edition was highly successful, bringing students into a unique environment where academic research meets industrial innovation. This new edition continues that mission, offering deep scientific training blended with real-world applications.
www.beiersdorf.com/career/stude...
www.beiersdorf.com/career/stude...
These results are promising but preliminary, since they come from fibroblasts, not patients. Still, the study highlights mitochondria as a key player in Rett syndrome and supports exploring early, mutation-specific CoQ10 strategies in future research.
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
These results are promising but preliminary, since they come from fibroblasts, not patients. Still, the study highlights mitochondria as a key player in Rett syndrome and supports exploring early, mutation-specific CoQ10 strategies in future research.
Overall, Rett fibroblasts show oxidative stress, mitochondrial imbalance and CoQ10 deficiency. Ubiquinol helps some mutation types but not all, indicating that genetic background shapes how cells respond and whether supplementation is meaningful.
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Overall, Rett fibroblasts show oxidative stress, mitochondrial imbalance and CoQ10 deficiency. Ubiquinol helps some mutation types but not all, indicating that genetic background shapes how cells respond and whether supplementation is meaningful.
The study examined PON2, an antioxidant enzyme that interacts with CoQ10. In the most stressed cells, PON2 levels were slightly higher but its activity was reduced, suggesting dysfunction. This enzyme may become a useful biomarker for Rett syndrome.
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The study examined PON2, an antioxidant enzyme that interacts with CoQ10. In the most stressed cells, PON2 levels were slightly higher but its activity was reduced, suggesting dysfunction. This enzyme may become a useful biomarker for Rett syndrome.