The multiple roles of coenzyme Q in cellular homeostasis and their relevance for the pathogenesis of coenzyme Q deficiency

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a redox active lipid that plays a central role in cellular homeostasis. It was discovered more than 60 years ago because of its role as electron transporter in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Since then it has become evident that CoQ has many other functions, not directly related to bioenergetics. It is a cofactor of several mitochondrial dehydrogenases involved in the metabolism of lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides, and in sulfide detoxification. It is a powerful antioxidant and it is involved in the control of programmed cell death by modulating both apoptosis and ferroptosis. CoQ deficiency is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the impairment of CoQ biosynthesis. CoQ deficient patients display defects in cellular bioenergetics, but also in the other pathways in which CoQ is involved. In this review we will focus on the functions of CoQ not directly related to the respiratory chain, and on how their impairment is relevant for the pathophysiology of CoQ deficiency. A better understanding of the complex set of events triggered by CoQ deficiency will allow to design novel approaches for the treatment of this condition.