Review on NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) pathway

NQO1 is an enzyme present in humans which is encoded by NQO1 gene. It is a protective antioxidant agent, versatile cytoprotective agent and regulates the oxidative stresses of chromatin binding proteins for DNA damage in cancer cells. The oxidization of cellular pyridine nucleotides causes structural alterations to NQO1 and changes in its capacity to binding of proteins. A strategy based on NQO1 to have protective effect against cancer was developed by organic components to enhance NQO1 expression. The quinone derivative compounds like mitomycin C, RH1, E09 (Apaziquone) and β-lapachone causes cell death by NQO1 reduction of two electrons. It was also known to be overexpressed in various tumor cells of breast, lung, cervix, pancreas and colon when it was compared with normal cells in humans. The mechanism of NQO1 by the reduction of FAD by NADPH to form FADH2 is by two ways to inhibit cancer cell development such as suppression of carcinogenic metabolic activation and prevention of carcinogen formation. The NQO1 exhibit suppression of chemical-mediated carcinogenesis by various properties of NQO1 which includes, detoxification of quinone scavenger of superoxide anion radical, antioxidant enzyme, protein stabilizer. This review outlines the NQO1 structure, mechanism of action to inhibit the cancer cell, functions of NQO1 against oxidative stress, drugs acting on NQO1 pathways, clinical significance.