Studies on incorporation of CoQ-homologs in mitochondrial membranes.

In this work we have made a systematic study on the incorporation of different homologs of Coenzyme Q in mitochondrial membranes. We have used a diluted mitochondrial suspension constituting a biphasic system membrane/H2O in which exogenous Q will be distributed depending on its water solubility and on its affinity to the mitochondrial membrane. It was found that Ubiquinones are incorporated into mitochondria in different extents ranging from zero (Q1) to 10 fold (Q10) the concentration of endogenous Q per mg of mitochondrial protein. In Q-depleted mitochondria the extents of incorporation are greater for all the quinones. This study points out that there is a reflection between the isoprenoid units of each Q-homolog and its incorporation into mitochondrial membranes.