Interaction of Quinone-Related Electron Acceptors with Hydropersulfide Na₂S₂: Evidence for One-Electron Reduction Reaction

We previously reported that 9,10-phenanthraquinone (9,10-PQ), an atmospheric electron acceptor, undergoes redox cycling with dithiols as electron donors, resulting in the formation of semiquinone radicals and monothiyl radicals; however, monothiols have little reactivity. Because persulfide and polysulfide species are highly reducing, we speculate that 9,10-PQ might undergo one-electron reduction with these reactive sulfides. In the present study, we explored the redox cycling capability of a variety of quinone-related electron acceptors, including 9,10-PQ, during interactions with the hydropersulfide Na₂S₂ and its related polysulfides. No reaction occurred when 9,10-PQ was incubated with Na₂S; however, when 5 μM 9,10-PQ was incubated with either 250 μM Na₂S₂ or Na₂S₄, we detected extensive consumption of dissolved oxygen (84 μM). Under these conditions, both the semiquinone radicals of 9,10-PQ and their thiyl radical species were also detected using ESR, suggesting that a redox cycle reaction occurred utilizing one-electron reduction processes. Notably, the perthiyl radicals remained stable even under aerobic conditions. Similar phenomenon has also been observed with other electron acceptors, such as pyrroloquinoline quinone, vitamin K₃, and coenzyme Q10. Our experiments with N-methoxycarbonyl penicillamine persulfide (MCPSSH), a precursor for endogenous cysteine persulfide, suggested the possibility of a redox coupling reaction with 9,10-PQ inside cells. Our study indicates that hydropersulfide and its related polysulfides are efficient electron donors that interact with quinones. Redox coupling reactions between quinoid electron acceptors and such highly reactive thiols might occur in biological systems.