ubiquinone binding

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Binding to ubiquinone, a quinone derivative with a tail of isoprene units. [GOC:jid, ISBN:0582227089]

Ubiquinone binding is a molecular function that describes the interaction of a protein with ubiquinone, also known as coenzyme Q10. Ubiquinone is a small, lipid-soluble molecule that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, specifically in the electron transport chain. It acts as a mobile electron carrier, shuttling electrons between protein complexes in the mitochondrial membrane.

In the electron transport chain, ubiquinone accepts electrons from complex I and II, becoming reduced to ubiquinol (QH2). This reduced form then carries the electrons to complex III, where it is oxidized back to ubiquinone. This cycle of oxidation and reduction allows for the transfer of electrons from NADH and FADH2 to molecular oxygen, ultimately generating a proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane that drives ATP synthesis.

Ubiquinone binding proteins are typically transmembrane proteins, often embedded within the mitochondrial membrane. They contain specific binding sites for ubiquinone, which can vary in their affinity and specificity. These binding sites are often characterized by hydrophobic residues that interact with the hydrophobic tail of ubiquinone, and polar residues that interact with the quinone head group.

The binding of ubiquinone to these proteins is essential for the proper functioning of the electron transport chain. Mutations or defects in ubiquinone binding proteins can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and a range of diseases, including mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (3)