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Characterization of selenocysteine lyase in human tissues and its relationship to tissue selenium concentrations.

The characterization of human selenocysteine lyase, an enzyme that specifically catalyzes the decomposition of L-selenocysteine to L-alanine and hydrogen selenide, is described. The enzyme is the first described that acts exclusively on a selenium compound. The enzyme from human tissues, analogous to that from pig tissues and bacteria, requires pyridoxal 5-phosphate as a cofactor. L-selenocysteine is the sole substrate with a Km = 0.50 mM. L-cysteine is a noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme with a Ki = 5.85 mM. The following amino acids and purines are inert: L-cysteine, selenocystamine, seleno-DL-methionine, 6-selenopurine, and 6-selenoguanosine. The enzyme was found in liver, kidney, heart, adrenal and muscle in decreasing order of specific activity. The enzyme activity in liver was found not to be related to tissue selenium concentration or glutathione peroxidase activity.

Glutathione Peroxidase↗

Cancer diagnosis. The role of tumor-imaging radiopharmaceuticals.

Several radiopharmaceuticals have recently been shown to have a considerable affinity for malignant tissue. All the tumor-seeking radiopharmaceuticals in current use are nonspecific and may also be picked up by benign tumors and infectious processes, including abscess and granuloma. The sensitivity of the tumor-imaging procedure depends on the radiopharmaceutical employed, the type of tumor, its size and location, and previous or current treatment. Gallium-67 citrate (67Ga), the most widely used tumor-seeking radiopharmaceutical, seems to have its greatest value in detecting bronchogenic carcinomas irrespective of cell type. The sensitivity for lung cancer in 489 studies was 93 per cent. Gallium-67 is also of great value in the staging of Hodgkin's disease, in which its sensitivity is 87 per cent. Non-Hdgkin's lymphomas are detected with only slightly lower sensitivity. There is, in fact, evidence that 67Ga is at least complemenatry, if not more sensitive than lymphangiography, in the staging of lymphoma. However, adenocarcinomas originating in the gastrointestinal tract are detected by 67Ga with a sensitivity of only about 40 per cent, whereas various chelates of bleomycin (including 111In-Bleo, 99mTc-Bleo and 57Co-Bleo) detect adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract with considerably higher sensitivity. In the few studies available comparing bleomycin chelates, 57Co-Bleo and 99mTc-Bleo appear to be more sensitive in detecting tumor than 111In-Bleo. Other tumor-seeking radiopharmaceuticasl which have been employed with somewhat less success include selenium compounds, labeled pyrimidines, several inorganic cations, lanthanide chelates and labeled proteins. Yet to be evaulated clinically is the efficacy of radiolabeled antibodies which are specific for tumor antigens, such as 131I-anti-CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen).

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗

Selenium-dependent growth and glycine fermentation by Clostridium purinolyticum.

Clostridium purinolyticum fermented glycine as a sole carbon and energy source according to the equation: 4 Glycine + 2H2O leads to 3 Acetate + 2CO2 + 4NH3. The organism required adenine as a supplement and selenium compounds as micronutrients for growth. The molar growth yield on glycine was 6.5 g dry wt. Radiochemical and enzymic investigations revealed a new fermentation pathway for glycine in which 1 mol glycine was completely oxidized to CO2 and the generated reducing equivalents were used to reduce a further 3 mol glycine to acetate via the glycine reductase system. This reaction was associated with the formation of ATP.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Acute toxicity of sodium selenite and selenomethionine in mice after ICV or IV administration.

The acute intracerebroventricular administration of sodium selenite and selenomethionine in conscious mice produced neurotoxicity manifested by hyperreflexia, convulsions and dealth. Selenite was 43-fold more toxic than selenomethionine on the basis of LD50 determination. The intravenous administration of the selenium compounds resulted in predominantly cardio-respiratory effects, hind limb paralysis and death. Selenite was 4-fold more toxic than selenomethionine. A comparison of relative toxicity after icv or iv administration revealed that selenite is more toxic than selenomethionine and greater relative toxicity was noted via the icv route. This toxicity difference may be attributed to the lack or low level of biotransformation of selenite by the CNS.

Animals↗

Selenite metabolism in rat and human blood.

The binding of selenite, the form of selenium used in the treatment of Keshan disease, to plasma proteins and the role of erythrocytes in this process have been studied. The experiments were carried out by incubating 75Se as selenite with plasma and whole blood in vitro (human and rat) and in vivo (rat) and subsequent fractionation by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. Human and rat plasma proteins were unable to incorporate selenium from selenite, as shown by the negligible amount present in proteins after incubation of plasma with selenite. The incorporation can be carried out after internalization of selenite by the erythrocytes in a fast, temperature dependent process. Hemoglobin, being the major binding protein for the newly reduced selenium in the erythrocyte, might have a role in the uptake of selenite by erythrocytes. The greater affinity of plasma proteins for the final selenium compound resulting from reduction could be the cause of the efflux. However, this is minimal in the absence of plasma, as is evident from the results obtained from blood reconstituted with saline solution instead of plasma. At least two proteins, one albumin like, probably albumin itself and the other of molecular weight close to or greater than 200,000 in the plasma, are involved in the binding and efflux processes.

Animals↗

Levels and 75Se-labeling of specific proteins as a consequence of dietary selenium concentration in mice and rats.

Selenium-labeled proteins (SLP) distinct from glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) recently have been purified and partially characterized. Antisera to two SLP, a 56-kDa and a 14-kDa protein, were generated in rabbits and used to examine expression of these proteins as a consequence of dietary selenium concentration (0.02, 0.2, 2.0 ppm) in mice and rats. Additionally, the kinetics of 75Se labeling in plasma, liver, kidney, and mammary gland were examined over a 40-hr time period as a function of dietary selenium concentration. A plasma 57-kDa protein was labeled by 30 min after 75Se injection and reached maximum labeling by 4 hr. The cellular 56-kDa and 14-kDa proteins, as well as GSH-Px, labeled progressively over 40 hr starting between 1 and 4 hr after injection. In general, the 56-kDa and GSH-Px followed similar labeling patterns, whereas the 14-kDa protein was labeled less and was not labeled in discernible quantities until 40 hr. The extent of labeling of all proteins was inversely proportional to the dietary selenium concentration and was probably a reflection of different endogenous selenium body pools. The most important observation was generated by the immunoblot data. The amount of 56-kDa and 14-kDa proteins as detected and measured on immunoblots was not a function of dietary selenium concentration. This result suggests that the synthesis and maintenance of the 56-kDa and 14-kDa proteins are not selenium dependent, a characteristic which distinguishes the two proteins from GSH-Px. The single exception to the above results was the 40% decrease of liver 14-kDa protein concentration in carcinogen-treated rats fed 2.0 ppm of selenium. An organic selenium compound, selenobetaine, did not lead to a decrease under similar conditions. In 15 rat mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene and analyzed on immunoblots, the SLP-56 was undetected in 5 cases and appeared as two bands (56,000 Da, 50,000 Da) in 10 cases. This latter result raises the possibility that the expression of SLP-56 may be altered in mammary tumors as compared with normal mammary gland.

Animals↗

Effects of methylselenocysteine on PKC activity, cdk2 phosphorylation and gadd gene expression in synchronized mouse mammary epithelial tumor cells.

Methylselenocysteine (MSC), an organic selenium compound is an effective chemopreventive agent against mammary cell growth both in vivo and in vitro but its mechanism of action is still not understood. We have previously demonstrated that MSC is able to inhibit growth in a synchronized TM6 mouse mammary epithelial tumor cell line at 16 h time point followed by apoptosis at 48 h. The decrease in cdk2 kinase activity was coincident with prolonged arrest of cells in S-phase. The present set of experiments showed that cdk2 phosphorylation was reduced by 72% in the MSC-treated cells at 16 h time point. Expression for gadd34, 45 and 153 was elevated 2.5 to 7 fold following MSC treatment only after 16 h time point. In order to investigate a possible upstream target for MSC, we analyzed protein kinase C (PKC) in this model. Total PKC activity was reduced in TM6 cells by MSC (50 microM) within 30 min of treatment, both in cytosolic (55.4 and 77.6%) and membrane (35.2 and 34.1%) fractions for calcium-dependent and independent PKCs, respectively. PMA significantly elevated the PKC activity in membrane fraction (P < 0.01) and MSC inhibited this activation by more than 57%. The effect of MSC was selenium specific as selenomethionine and sulfurmethyl-L-cysteine (SMC) did not alter PKC activity either in cytosolic or membrane fraction. Immunoblot analysis showed that PKC-alpha was translocated to the membrane by PMA and MSC did not alter this translocation. PKC-delta was faintly detectable in membrane fractions of control and MSC-treated cells. MSC treatment slightly reduced levels of PKC-e (in cytosolic and membrane fractions) and PKC-zeta (cytosolic fractions). The data presented herein suggest that PKC is a potential upstream target for MSC that may trigger one or all of the downstream effects; i.e. the decrease of cdk2 kinase activity, decreased DNA synthesis, elevation of gadd gene expression and finally apoptosis.

Animals↗

Protection against ionizing radiation by antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals.

The potential of antioxidants to reduce the cellular damage induced by ionizing radiation has been studied in animal models for more than 50 years. The application of antioxidant radioprotectors to various human exposure situations has not been extensive although it is generally accepted that endogenous antioxidants, such as cellular non-protein thiols and antioxidant enzymes, provide some degree of protection. This review focuses on the radioprotective efficacy of naturally occurring antioxidants, specifically antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals, and how they might influence various endpoints of radiation damage. Results from animal experiments indicate that antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin E and selenium compounds, are protective against lethality and other radiation effects but to a lesser degree than most synthetic protectors. Some antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals have the advantage of low toxicity although they are generally protective when administered at pharmacological doses. Naturally occurring antioxidants also may provide an extended window of protection against low-dose, low-dose-rate irradiation, including therapeutic potential when administered after irradiation. A number of phytochemicals, including caffeine, genistein, and melatonin, have multiple physiological effects, as well as antioxidant activity, which result in radioprotection in vivo. Many antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals have antimutagenic properties, and their modulation of long-term radiation effects, such as cancer, needs further examination. In addition, further studies are required to determine the potential value of specific antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals during radiotherapy for cancer.

Animals↗

Chemical forms of selenium in rat tissues after administration of selenite or selenomethionine.

The chemical forms of selenium (Se) were determined in erythrocyte and liver proteins after injection of 75Se as either sodium selenite or selenomethionine (Se-Met) in male weanling rats. Gel-filtration chromatography (Sephadex G-150) of erythrocyte lysate revealed labeling of four fractions corresponding to void volume proteins, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), hemoglobin (Hb) and low-molecular-weight materials. Acid hydrolysates of erythrocyte protein fractions and whole liver were analyzed by ion-exchange chromatography (Dionex DC6A). Void volume proteins contained principally selenocysteine (75Se-Cys) in [75Se]selenite-injected animals. This material contained both 75Se-Met and 75Se-Cys 1 d postinjection in 75Se-Met-injected animals, but primarily 75Se-Cys at 20 d afterwards. GPx contained 75Se as 75Se-Cys regardless of the selenium compound injected. Hb of 75Se-Met-injected animals contained principally 75Se-Met at both 1 and 20 d postinjection. In [75Se]selenite-injected animals, 75Se was present in hemoglobin as two unidentified forms. In acid hydrolysates of whole liver 75Se was recovered principally as 75Se-Cys from animals injected with [75Se]selenite. For animals injected with 75Se-Met, liver 75Se was present initially as 75Se-Met, but after 5 d the majority of liver 75Se was as Se-Cys. No differences were found in deposition of 75Se in liver, kidney, testes, erythrocytes or plasma in rats injected with labeled selenite or Se-Met, but a significantly greater retention was found in muscle of Se-Met-injected rats as compared to those given selenite.

Animals↗

Selenium increases hydrogenase expression in autotrophically cultured Bradyrhizobium japonicum and is a constituent of the purified enzyme.

We have investigated the effect of added selenite on autotrophic growth and the time course of hydrogen oxidation derepression in Bradyrhizobium japonicum 122DES cultured in a medium purified to remove selenium compounds. In addition, hydrogenase was purified to near homogeneity and examined for the specific incorporation of Se into the enzyme. The addition of Se at 0.1 microM significantly increased total cell protein and hydrogenase specific activity of harvested cells. Also, the addition of SeO3(2-) enhanced the time course of hydrogenase derepression by 133%, whereas VO3, AsO2(2-), SO2(2-), and TeO3(2-) failed to substantially affect hydrogenase derepression. During the final chromatographic purification of hydrogenase, a striking coincidence in peaks of protein content, Se radioactivity, and hydrogenase activity of fractions was obtained. The total Se content expressed per milligram of protein increased manyfold during the purification procedure. The mean Se content of the purified hydrogenase was 0.56 +/- 0.13 mol of Se per mol of enzyme. These results indicate that Se is an important element in the H2 metabolism of B. japonicum and that hydrogenase from B. japonicum is a seleno protein.

Culture Media↗

Neurons of origin of zinc-containing pathways and the distribution of zinc-containing boutons in the hippocampal region of the rat.

Recent methods allow the study of neurons that contain zinc in synaptic vesicles of their boutons (Timm-stainable boutons) by the intravital precipitation (local or throughout the CNS) of the vesicular zinc with selenium compounds and its subsequent retrograde transport to the parent neurons, where the precipitate can be silver enhanced. The present study is a description of the distribution of zinc-containing neurons, their possible connections and their terminal fields within the hippocampal region of the rat. Problems inherent to the methods are addressed. Finally, based on the results and a review of literature, the possible function of zinc in the hippocampal region is considered. Neurons which contain silver-enhanced precipitates were observed in layers II, V and VI of the lateral entorhinal area and in layers V and VI of the medial entorhinal area. In the parasubiculum, labeled cells were seen in layer II/III of the parasubiculum a and in layer V. Labeled cells in the presubiculum were concentrated in layers III and V, in the hippocampal pyramidal cell layer and the dentate granule cell layer, but neurons containing precipitates were largely absent from the subiculum. Zinc-containing axonal boutons defined subpopulations within principal hippocampal neuron populations. Within layer II of the lateral entorhinal cortex and the pyramidal cell layer for regio inferior deeply situated neurons were labeled, whereas superficially placed pyramidal cells were labeled in regio superior. The neuropil staining described in the present study corresponded to that found in earlier studies. However, glial and vascular staining or unspecific background were largely absent, and the neuropil staining could unequivocally be identified light microscopically. Methodological problems are most prominently reflected in unstained mossy fibers in some animals. Based on series from animals treated with decreasing doses of sodium selenite and increased survival times, this problem can be related to small amounts of circulating reactive selenium and a competition of zinc compartments (vesicles) for the selenium. Staining will fail where the competition prevents individual compartments from reaching a threshold amount of zinc precipitate for silver amplification. A guide to evaluate histological material is provided. The distribution of zinc-containing boutons and their cells of origin indicate that zinc-containing and zinc-negative projections are not organized as parallel pathways. The mossy fibers provide an example of a pure zinc-containing pathway. Projections from regio superior to the dorsal presubiculum are likely to be zinc-negative while projections from the same area to the subiculum are zinc-containing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Chemopreventive mechanisms of selenium.

The element selenium (Se) was recognized only 40 years ago as being essential in the nutrition of animals and humans. It is recognized as being an essential component of a number of enzymes in which it is present as the amino acid selenocysteine (SeCys). Selenium compounds have also been found to inhibit tumorigenesis in a variety of animal models and recent studies indicate that supplemental Se in human diets may reduce cancer risk. Anti-tumorigenic activities have been associated with Se intakes that are more than sufficient to correct nutritionally deficient status; that is, Se appears to be anti-tumorigenic at intakes that are substantially greater than those associated with maximal expression of the known SeCys-containing enzymes. Therefore, while some cancer protection may involve one or more Se-enzymes, it is probable that anti-tumorigenic functions of Se are discharged by certain Se-metabolites produced in significant amounts at relatively high Se intakes. Thus, Se supplementation of individuals with relatively low or frankly deficient natural intakes of the element can be expected to support enhanced anti-oxidant protection due to increased expression of the Se-dependent glutathione peroxidases and thioredoxin reductase. Higher levels of Se-supplementation can be expected to affect other functions related to tumorigenesis: carcinogen metabolism, immune function, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Thus, according to this 2-stage model of the roles of Se in cancer prevention, even individuals with nutritionally adequate Se intakes may benefit from Se-supplementation.

Animals↗

Distribution of neurons of origin of zinc-containing projections in the amygdala of the rat.

The present study describes the distribution of neurons of origin of zinc-containing pathways in the amygdaloid complex of the rat, using the selenium method for simultaneous retrograde labeling of all zinc-containing neurons. With this method, vesicular ionic zinc is precipitated intravitally with selenium compounds and transported retrogradely to the parent neurons, where it can be visualized by silver amplification. Neurons labeled retrogradely with silver-amplified precipitate were observed in all amygdaloid nuclei except for the lateral olfactory tract nucleus, the accessory olfactory tract nucleus and the central nucleus. Very few labeled cell bodies were seen in the anterior amygdaloid area and the medial nucleus. The amygdalo-hippocampal area and the amygdalo-piriform transition area both showed a substantial number of labeled somata throughout their rostrocaudal extent. In the anterior cortical nucleus, very few labeled cell bodies were found in the rostral pole, whereas they were abundant in the caudal quarter of the nucleus. In the posterolateral cortical nucleus, the number of labeled cell bodies increased gradually; there were none in the rostral pole, but most of the neurons in the caudal part were labeled. The posteromedial cortical nucleus contained a great number of labeled somata, but with some variation in the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus. Considerable numbers of labeled neurons were observed throughout the lateral nucleus. In the basolateral nucleus, a small number of labeled cell bodies was present in the rostral half, but a gradual increase was observed in the caudal direction. Finally, in the basomedial nucleus, very few labeled cell bodies were present in the rostral two-thirds, whilst a considerable number was encountered in the caudal one-third. Possible functional implications of neuronal zinc are considered. The distribution of neurons of origin of zinc-containing projections has been compared with previously described intrinsic connections of the rat amygdala, and tracts that may possibly be zinc-containing are outlined and discussed. It is concluded that in all probability a substantial proportion of the intrinsic connectivity of the rat amygdaloid complex is zinc-containing.

Amygdala↗

The reactivity of [PhP(Se)(mu-Se)]2 and (PhP)3Se2 towards acetylenes and cyanamides: X-ray crystal structures of some P-Se-C and P-Se-C-N heterocycles.

Several unusual P-Se-C and P-Se-C-N heterocycles are formed by the reaction of [PhP(Se)(mu-Se)]2 or (PhP)3Se2 with alkynes or cyanamides, generated by the fragmentation of the organophosphorus-selenium compound and addition across the C identical to C or C identical to N triple bond of the organic substrate. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals an unexpected diversity of structural motifs within these heterocyclic systems, including P2SeCN, P2C2Se and PC2Se2 rings.

Journal Article↗

The oxidation of ebselen metabolites to thiol oxidants catalyzed by liver microsomes and perfused rat liver.

The oxidation of 2-(methylseleno)benzanilide and 2-selenylbenzanilide, metabolites of the antioxidant drug ebselen, was examined in reactions catalyzed by rat, pig, and guinea pig liver microsomes and in perfused rat liver. Microsomes from all three species catalyzed NADPH- and oxygen-dependent oxidation of the selenide and the selenol to thiol-reactive metabolites. The oxidation product of the selenide was similar in properties to the chemically synthesized selenoxide [2-(methylseleninyl)benzanilide]. The selenoxide oxidized GSH and thiocholine at rate constants of 1.2 x 10(2) and 7.2 x 10(2) M-1 s-1, respectively at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C. n-Octylamine stimulated the oxidation of the ring-opened metabolites of ebselen catalyzed by pig and guinea pig liver microsomes but it had essentially no effect on these activities in rat liver microsomes. The selenoxidase activity of microsomes from all three species was partially (30-50%) sensitive to N-benzylimidazole. The effects of n-octylamine and the imidazole suggest that the oxidation of the selenide was catalyzed primarily by enzymes with the properties of flavin-containing and P450-dependent monooxygenases, but the nature of enzymes responsible for a small fraction of the N-benzylimidazole-sensitive activity was not fully resolved. The 2-(methylseleno)benzanilide oxidase activity of pig liver microsomes sensitive to N-benzylimidazole was only partially sensitive to antisera to pig liver NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. While neither 2-(methylseleno)benzanilide nor ebselen affected bile flow, the biliary efflux of GSSG was stimulated about fourfold in rat liver perfused with either of these selenium compounds. The increased GSSG efflux produced by 5 microM ebselen or its methyl metabolite was abolished by N-benzylimidazole.

Anilides↗

Cytometric and electron microscopic studies of the direct interaction of divalent nickel with intact and chemically modified HuT-78 lymphoblasts.

Cytometric and ultrastructural studies on 24 hr cultures of intact, 1.0 mM H5IO6, and 0.1 mM SeO2-oxidized HuT-78 lymphoblasts were performed after their direct, 30 min interaction with 1.0 mM NiCl2. Except for moderately depressed cell viability, divalent nickel did not alter the progression of intact and oxidized target cells through the phases of the cell cycle. Although the plasma membrane remained structurally intact, marked distortion of mitochondria structure and increased osmiophilia were an invariable attribute of all nickel-pulsed cells. Moreover, numerous electron-opaque, intracellular depositions were detected in SeO2-oxidized, nickel-pulsed cells. It is concluded that the initial state of plasma membrane, and the interaction of nickel with other trace elements, have jointly determined the response of HuT-78 cells to brief and direct, divalent nickel pulses.

Cell Cycle↗

Development of an L6 myoblast in vitro model of moniliformin toxicosis.

L6 myoblasts were used as an in vitro model to investigate the role of moniliformin and its interaction with monensin in turkey knockdown syndrome and sudden death syndromes in poultry. Cell viability and microscopic and ultrastructural alterations noted in L6 myoblasts cultured in the presence of moniliformin (0.0-0.3 microgram/microliter) were compared to those observed in parallel cultures also containing one of the following compounds: selenium (0-0.004 ng/microliter), thiamine (0-0.3 microgram/microliter), or pyruvate (0-0.46 microgram/microliter). Marked dilation of the RER, membranous whorls, glycogen deposition, membrane-bound cytoplasmic inclusions and necrosis were observed in myoblasts exposed to 0.03-0.30 microgram moniliformin/microliter medium. Supplementation of medium with thiamine and pyruvate, or selenium, provided significant protection to cells exposed to 0.0-0.3 microgram/microliter or 0.0-0.15 microgram moniliformin/microliter, respectively. Dose-dependent differences in protein and ATP production were not detected. Myoblasts grown in medium containing 0-0.15 microgram moniliformin/microliter and 7.5-50.0 microM A23187, beauvericin or monensin had degrees of cytotoxicity similar to parallel cultures receiving only an ionophore. L6 myoblasts were a useful model of moniliformin toxicosis. The findings of this study suggest cytotoxicity due to moniliformin in L6 myoblasts may be due in part to oxidative damage and altered pyruvate metabolism, and that moniliformin does not predispose myoblasts to ionophore toxicosis. This study supports the results of in vivo investigations in poultry that moniliformin and monensin do not act synergistically to induce knockdown or monensin toxicosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗