Effects of the Coenzyme Q10 Analog 6-Bromo-ubiquinone (6-Br-Q0C10) on Mammalian Cell Growth

Synthetic 6-Br-Q0C10 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-Q0C10 across multiple cell lines using three detection methods. Treatment with 6-Br-Q0C10 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-Q0C10 to manage obesity or to retard the growth of rate cancer cells and thus prolonging life.