Reduction of Azobenzene by Purified Bovine Liver Quinone Reductase

Quinone reductase was purified to homogeneity from bovine liver by using ammonium sulfate fractionation, ionexchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme utilized either NADH or NADPH as the electron donor. The enzyme catalyzed the reduction of several quinones and other artificial electron acceptors. Furthermore, the enzyme catalyzed NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of azobenzene. The apparent Km for 1,4-benzoquinone and azobenzene was 1.64 mM and 0.524 mM, respectively. The reduction of azobenzene by quinone reductase was almost entirely inhibited by dicumarol or Cibacron blue 3GA, potent inhibitors of the mammalian quinone reductase. In the presence of 1.0${\mu}M$ Cibacron blue 3GA, azoreductase activity was lowered by 45%, and almost complete inhibition was seen above 2.0 ${\mu}M$ Cibacron blue 3GA.