Biochem/physiol Actions

NQO1 (NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1) uses NADH or NADPH as a reducing cofactor, and is characterized by its inhibition by dicoumarol. It is thought to confer protection against natural and exogenous quinones. It is involved in the conversion of benzene derived quinones to less toxic hydroquinones, and participates in benzene-associated hematotoxicity. It is involved in the reduction and eventual activation of few chemotherapeutic drugs and of environmental carcinogens, such as heterocyclic amines, nitroaromatic compounds, and possibly cigarette smoke particulate. C609T null variant of this gene is linked with breast cancer susceptibility in north Indian patients. NQO1 is up-regulated in serous ovarian carcinoma, and this expression is linked with poor prognosis; hence, this gene has potential as biomarker for the same.

General description

NQO1 (NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1) is an obligate two-electron reductase. It is a cytoplasmic, homodimeric protein, with one FAD molecule per monomer. This gene is localized to human chromosome 16q23. It shows a wide range of tissue expression.

Physical form

0.2 µm-filtered solution in 50 mM Tris-Cl, pH 8.0, containing 1 mM DTT.