Merck, D9150-5G, 2,3-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone

General description
2,3-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (Coenzyme Q0 or DMM) is present in all the cells including neural cells.
Application
2,3-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone has been used:
as a tau protein fibrillization inducer to determine the regions of tau involved in the formation of paired helical filaments (PHFs)
as a component in buffer B for cytochrome oxidation assay with subsaturating light
in the RPMI-1640 medium for 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphenyl)-(2H)-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay to quantify antifungal activity

Coenzyme Q0 inhibits (via radical quenching) reactions of gamma-irradiation induced homolytic cleavage of O-glycoside bonds in polysaccharides. Coenzyme Q0 induces apoptosis and modulates the cell cycle in estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells. It is toxic to other cells such as insulin producing cells.
Biochem/physiol Actions
2,3-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone (Coenzyme Q0) interacts with tau protein and aids in the formation of filamentous structure.