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Coenzyme Q and Phenylketonuria

Nature volume 202, pages 806–807 (1964)Cite this article

Abstract

INVESTIGATIONS by Olson's group1,2 of the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q9 (ubiquinone-45) in the rat have shown that phenylalanine is a metabolic precursor of the benzoquinoid ring of coenzyme Q. Presumably, hydroxylation of phenylalanine to yield tyrosine would be an intermediate step in the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q (ref. 3). If tyrosine is such an obligatory intermediate, the question is raised whether a deficiency of coenzyme Q may occur in phenylketonuria, since impairment of the hydroxylation of phenylalanine to tyrosine in this disease has been demonstrated4.

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References

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Author notes

  1. ROLF W. KREYDEN: Post-doctoral Fellow of the U.S. Public Health Service (AM-2A-5191).

  2. KEITH S. HENLEY: Research Career Development awardee, U.S. Public Health Service (AM-K3-14030).

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor

    EDWARD A. NAPIER JUN., ROLF W. KREYDEN, KEITH S. HENLEY & H. MARVIN POLLARD

Authors
  1. EDWARD A. NAPIER JUN.
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  2. ROLF W. KREYDEN
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  3. KEITH S. HENLEY
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  4. H. MARVIN POLLARD
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NAPIER, E., KREYDEN, R., HENLEY, K. et al. Coenzyme Q and Phenylketonuria. Nature 202, 806–807 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/202806a0

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