Identification of single-gene causes of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) has furthered the understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. Here, using a combination of homozygosity mapping and whole human exome resequencing, we identified mutations in the aarF domain containing kinase 4 (ADCK4) gene in 15 individuals with SRNS from 8 unrelated families. ADCK4 was highly similar to ADCK3, which has been shown to participate in coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ) biosynthesis. Mutations in ADCK4 resulted in reduced CoQ 10 levels and reduced mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity in cells isolated from individuals with SRNS and transformed lymphoblasts. Knockdown of adck4 in zebrafish and Drosophila recapitulated nephrotic syndrome-associated phenotypes. Furthermore, ADCK4 was expressed in glomerular podocytes and partially localized to podocyte mitochondria and foot processes in rat kidneys and cultured human podocytes. In human podocytes, ADCK4 interacted with members of the CoQ 10 biosynthesis pathway, including COQ6, which has been linked with SRNS and COQ7. Knockdown of ADCK4 in podocytes resulted in decreased migration, which was reversed by CoQ 10 addition. Interestingly, a patient with SRNS with a homozygous ADCK4 frameshift mutation had partial remission following CoQ 10 treatment. These data indicate that individuals with SRNS with mutations in ADCK4 or other genes that participate in CoQ 10 biosynthesis may be treatable with CoQ 10 .

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a frequent cause of end-stage renal failure. Identification of single-gene causes of SRNS has generated some insights into its pathogenesis; however, additional genes and disease mechanisms remain obscure, and SRNS continues to be treatment refractory. Here we have identified 6 different mutations in coenzyme Q 10 biosynthesis monooxygenase 6 (COQ6) in 13 individuals from 7 families by homozygosity mapping. Each mutation was linked to early-onset SRNS with sensorineural deafness. The deleterious effects of these human COQ6 mutations were validated by their lack of complementation in coq6-deficient yeast. Furthermore, knockdown of Coq6 in podocyte cell lines and coq6 in zebrafish embryos caused apoptosis that was partially reversed by coenzyme Q 10 treatment. In rats, COQ6 was located within cell processes and the Golgi apparatus of renal glomerular podocytes and in stria vascularis cells of the inner ear, consistent with an oto-renal disease phenotype. These data suggest that coenzyme Q 10 -related forms of SRNS and hearing loss can be molecularly identified and potentially treated.

Background: Several steps of eukaryotic coenzyme Q biosynthesis are still in question. Results: Yeast coq null mutants overexpressing the Coq8 kinase have stable Coq polypeptides and accumulate new Q intermediates that help diagnose the blocked step. Conclusion: New functions for Coq polypeptides are proposed. Significance: Identification of the blocked step allows for the use of alternate ring precursors that rescue Q biosynthesis in some mutants.

Coenzyme Q (ubiquinone or Q) is a lipid electron and proton carrier in the electron transport chain. In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae eleven genes, designated COQ1 through COQ9, YAH1 and ARH1, have been identified as being required for Q biosynthesis. One of these genes, COQ8 (ABC1) encodes an atypical protein kinase, containing six (I, II, III, VIB, VII, and VIII) of the twelve motifs characteristically present in canonical protein kinases. Here we characterize seven distinct Q-less coq8 yeast mutants, and show that unlike the coq8 null mutant, each maintained normal steady state levels of the Coq8 polypeptide. The phosphorylation states of Coq polypeptides were determined with two-dimensional gel analyses. Coq3p, Coq5p, and Coq7p were phosphorylated in a Coq8p dependent manner. Expression of a human homolog of Coq8p, ADCK3(CABC1) bearing an amino-terminal yeast mitochondrial leader sequence, rescued growth of yeast coq8 mutants on medium containing a nonfermentable carbon source and partially restored biosynthesis of Q 6 . The phosphorylation state of several of the yeast Coq polypeptides was also rescued, indicating a profound conservation of yeast Coq8p and human ADCK3 protein kinase function in Q biosynthesis.

Coenzyme Q biosynthesis in yeast requires a multi-subunit Coq polypeptide complex. Deletion of any one of the COQ genes leads to respiratory deficiency and decreased levels of the Coq4, Coq6, Coq7, and Coq9 polypeptides, suggesting that their association in a high molecular mass complex is required for stability. Over-expression of the putative Coq8 kinase in certain coq null mutants restores steady-state levels of the sensitive Coq polypeptides and promotes the synthesis of late-stage Q-intermediates. Here we show that over-expression of Coq8 in yeast coq null mutants profoundly affects the association of several of the Coq polypeptides in high molecular mass complexes, as assayed by separation of digitonin extracts of mitochondria by two-dimensional blue-native/SDS PAGE. The Coq4 polypeptide persists at high molecular mass with over-expression of Coq8 in coq3, coq5, coq6, coq7, coq9, and coq10 mutants, indicating that Coq4 is a central organizer of the Coq complex. Supplementation with exogenous Q6 increased the steady-state levels of Coq4, Coq7, Coq9, and several other mitochondrial polypeptides in select coq null mutants, and also promoted the formation of late-stage Q-intermediates. Q supplementation may stabilize this complex by interacting with one or more of the Coq polypeptides. The stabilizing effects of exogenously added Q6 or over-expression of Coq8 depend on Coq1 and Coq2 production of a polyisoprenyl intermediate. Based on the observed interdependence of the Coq polypeptides, the effect of exogenous Q6, and the requirement for an endogenously produced polyisoprenyl intermediate, we propose a new model for the Q-biosynthetic complex, termed the CoQ-synthome.

Coenzyme Q (ubiquinone or Q) is a crucial mitochondrial lipid required for respiratory electron transport in eukaryotes. 4-Hydroxybenozoate (4HB) is an aromatic ring precursor that forms the benzoquinone ring of Q and is used extensively to examine Q biosynthesis. However, the direct precursor compounds and enzymatic steps for synthesis of 4HB in yeast are unknown. Here we show that para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA), a well known precursor of folate, also functions as a precursor for Q biosynthesis. We suggest a mechanism where Schiff base-mediated deimination forms DMQ 6 quinone, thereby eliminating the nitrogen contributed by pABA. This scheme results in the convergence of the 4HB and pABA pathways in eukaryotic Q biosynthesis and has implications regarding the action of pABAbased antifolates. Coenzyme Q (Q)2 is an essential polyprenylated benzoquinone lipid in cellular energy metabolism. The prenyl tail anchors Q in cellular membranes, whereas the redox chemistry of the benzoquinone ring plays a crucial role in respiratory electron transport, in catabolic and biosynthetic metabolism (1), as a co-antioxidant able to recycle vitamin E, and as a chain-terminating antioxidant (2). In these reactions the quinone ring of Q thus cycles between oxidized and reduced (QH 2 , or hydroquinone) states.Cells rely on de novo synthesis for an adequate supply of Q. Studies in Escherichia coli, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have made use of Q-deficient mutants to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway (3-5). In S. cerevisiae, nine COQ genes are required, and each of the yeast coq mutants (coq1 through coq9) lack Q 6 and are unable to grow on media containing non-fermentable carbon sources such as glycerol or ethanol. The dedicated precursors in the biosynthesis of Q are polyisoprene diphosphate, which provides the tail (S. cerevisiae synthesizes Q 6 , with a tail containing six isoprene units), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4HB) (6, 7). Studies in animal cells and in E. coli indicate that different metabolic pathways are used to produce 4HB. Animals (e.g. rats and humans) generate 4HB from the essential dietary amino acid tyrosine (6 -8). Phenylalanine also acts as a precursor for 4HB, however, the incorporation is thought to proceed primarily following its conversion to tyrosine via phenylalanine hydroxylase (8). The biosynthetic steps leading from 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to 4HB in animal cells are not yet characterized (see Fig. 1). E. coli relies on shikimate biosynthesis, the formation of chorismate, and chorismate pyruvate lyase (encoded by the ubiC gene) to synthesize 4HB (9, 10). E. coli ubiC mutants lack Q unless 4HB is provided in the growth media (9). E. coli mutants lacking shikimate or chorismate also require exogenous 4HB to synthesize Q (11). Thus, E. coli cells are unable to convert tyrosine or phenylalanine to Q and rely exclusively on the de novo synthesis of 4HB from chorismate.In contrast, S. cerevisiae may utilize either shikimate or tyrosine to synthesize the aromatic ring precursor of Q (6,...

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Therapy of mitochondrial respiratory chain diseases is complicated by limited understanding of cellular mechanisms that cause the widely variable clinical findings. Here, we show that focal segmental glomerulopathy-like kidney disease in Pdss2 mutant animals with primary coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiency is significantly ameliorated by oral treatment with probucol (1% w/w). Preventative effects in missense mutant mice are similar whether fed probucol from weaning or for 3 weeks prior to typical nephritis onset. Furthermore, treating symptomatic animals for 2 weeks with probucol significantly reduces albuminuria. Probucol has a more pronounced health benefit than high-dose CoQ10 supplementation and uniquely restores CoQ9 content in mutant kidney. Probucol substantially mitigates transcriptional alterations across many intermediary metabolic domains, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway signaling. Probucol's beneficial effects on the renal and metabolic manifestations of Pdss2 disease occur despite modest induction of oxidant stress and appear independent of its hypolipidemic effects. Rather, decreased CoQ9 content and altered PPAR pathway signaling appear, respectively, to orchestrate the glomerular and global metabolic consequences of primary CoQ deficiency, which are both preventable and treatable with oral probucol therapy.