Citric Acid Cycle

Summary

Markers of Coenzyme Q10 Synthesis and Function Elevation of organic acids in urine can reveal inhibition of the coenzyme Q10 biosynthetic pathway (A) or interruptions of the electron transport system (B) from inability to sustain adequate CoQ10 levels in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Details

Both endogenous regulators and statin drugs act at the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme gateway for two-carbon unit entry into the pathway that leads to synthesis of cholesterol and CoQ10. Accumulation of intermediates of the citric acid cycle, on the other hand, signals a functional insufficiency of inner mitochondrial membrane CoQ10 to sustain the flow of electrons.