Quinones: more than electron shuttles

Bacterial quinones are lipophilic redox compounds involved in important cellular roles such as electron transport in respiratory and photosynthetic chains. However, a growing body of research has now revealed that quinones have additional functions in bacterial physiology, with significant consequences for colonization and persistence in different ecological niches. The aim of this review is to provide an updated view of the functions of bacterial quinones, with particular emphasis on their importance for bacterial metabolism, gene regulation, and stress resistance. We provide evidence that quinones have also a deep impact on the composition and function of bacterial ecosystems.