A mitochondria-targeted antioxidant can inhibit peroxidase activity of cytochrome c by detachment of the protein from liposomes.

Interaction of cytochrome c with cardiolipin converts this respiratory chain electron-transfer protein into a peroxidase, supposedly involved in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis initiation. Liposome membrane permeabilization provoked by peroxidase activity of the cytochrome c/cardiolipin complex has been previously shown to be suppressed by conventional antioxidants. Here, the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 (plastoquinonyl-decyl-triphenylphosphonium) was found to strongly inhibit both cytochrome c/cardiolipin peroxidase activity and the permeabilization of liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine and cardiolipin. A number of binding assays revealed a significant inhibiting effect of SkQ1 on cytochrome c binding to liposomes, thus suggesting that SkQ1-mediated protection of liposomes from the cytochrome c/H2 O2 -induced permeabilization involved distortion of the cytochrome c-membrane binding. It is suggested that antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of alkyltriphenylphosphonium cations can be related to the prevention of cytochrome c/cardiolipin interaction.