Mitochondrial coenzyme Q (mtQ) of the inner mitochondrial membrane is a redox
active mobile carrier in the respiratory chain that transfers electrons between
reducing dehydrogenases and oxidizing pathway(s). mtQ is also involved in
mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) formation through the mitochondrial
respiratory chain. Some mtQ-binding sites related to the respiratory chain can
directly form the superoxide anion from semiubiquinone radicals. On the other
hand, reduced mtQ (ubiquinol, mtQH) recycles other antioxidants and
directly acts on free radicals, preventing oxidative modifications. The redox
state of the mtQ pool is a central bioenergetic patameter that alters in response
to changes in mitochondrial function. It reflects mitochondrial bioenergetic
activity and mtROS formation level, and thus the oxidative stress associated with
the mitochondria. Surprisingly, there are few studies describing a direct
relationship between the mtQ redox state and mtROS production under physiological
and pathological conditions. Here, we provide a first overview of what is known
about the factors affecting mtQ redox homeostasis and its relationship to mtROS
production. We have proposed that the level of reduction (the endogenous redox
state) of mtQ may be a useful indirect marker to assess total mtROS formation. A
higher mtQ reduction level (mtQH/mtQ) indicates greater mtROS
formation. The mtQ reduction level, and thus the mtROS formation, depends on the
size of the mtQ pool and the activity of the mtQ-reducing and
mtQH-oxidizing pathway(s) of respiratory chain. We focus on a number of
physiological and pathophysiological factors affecting the amount of mtQ and thus
its redox homeostasis and mtROS production level.