Regioselectivity and reversibility of the glutathione conjugation of quercetin quinone methide

M.G. Boersma, J. Vervoort, H. Szymusiak, K. Lemanska, B. Tyrakowska, N. Cenas, J. Segura-Aguilar, I.M.C.M. Rietjens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

128 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The chemical reactivity, isomerization, and glutathione conjugation of quercetin o-quinone were investigated. Tyrosinase was used to generate the unstable quercetin o-quinone derivative which could be observed upon its subsequent scavenging by glutathione. Identification of the products revealed formation of 6-glutathionyl-quercetin and 8-glutathionyl-quercetin adducts. Thus, in particular, glutathione adducts in the A ring of quercetin were formed, a result which was not expected a priori. Quantum mechanical calculations support the possibility that the formation of these glutathione adducts can be explained by an isomerization of quercetin o-quinone to p-quinone methides. Surprisingly, additional experiments of this study reveal the adduct formation to be reversible, leading to interconversion between the two quercetin glutathione adducts and possibilities for release and further electrophilic reactions of the quercetin quinone methide at cellular sites different from those of its generation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-191
JournalChemical Research in Toxicology
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Regioselectivity and reversibility of the glutathione conjugation of quercetin quinone methide'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this