Selenium metabolism and bioavailability

Selenium (Se) is at once an essential and toxic nutrient that occurs in both inorganic and organic forms. The biological functions of Se are mediated through at least 13 selenoproteins that contain Se as selenocysteine (Se-cyst). The endogenous synthesis of this amino acid from inorganic Se (selenide Se⁻²) and serine is encoded by a stop codon UGA in mRNA and involves a unique tRNA. Selenium can also substitute for sulfur in methionine to form an analog, selenomethionine (Se-meth), which is the main form of Se found in food. Animals cannot synthesize Se-meth or distinguish it from methionine and as a result it is nonspecifically incorporated into a wide range of Se-containing proteins. The metabolic fate of Se varies according to the form ingested and the overall Se status of an individual. This paper reviews the bioavailability, including absorption, transport, metabolism, storage, and excretion, of the different forms of exogenous and endogenous Se.     

微生物硒代谢机制研究进展

硒(Se)是人与动物生命必需的微量元素,在医学保健和工业制造方面有着广泛的应用。硒在环境中有四种价态,包括硒酸盐Se O42-(+6)、亚硒酸盐Se O32-(+4)、单质硒Se0(0)和硒化物Se2-(-2)。微生物在硒的形态转化中扮演了重要的角色,影响着环境中硒的生物地球化学循环。本文主要从自然界中硒的循环以及微生物与硒代谢机制两个方面阐述微生物对硒的生物地球化学循环的重要性。     

Selenium metabolism in plants

Background

Selenium (Se) is not an essential element for plants, although it can benefit their growth and survival in some envionments. Excess tissue Se concentrations are toxic. The ability to sequester Se in vacuoles, synthesise non-toxic Se metabolites, or volatilise Se compounds determines maximum tissue Se concentrations and the ability to colonise seleniferous soils.

Selenium metabolism in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli will reduce selenite (SeO 3 2- ) andselenate (SeO 4 2- ) to elemental selenium Se 0 . Seleniumwill also become incorporated intoproteins as part of the amino acids selenocysteine or selenomethionine.The reaction of selenitewith glutathione produces selenodiglutathione (GS-Se-GS). Selenodiglutathioneand itssubsequent reduction to glutathioselenol (GS-SeH) are likely the key intermediatesin the possiblemetabolic fates of selenium. This review presents the possible pathwaysinvolving selenium in E. coli. Identification of intermediates and potentialprocesses from uptake of the toxic oxyanions through to theirdetoxification will assist us inunderstanding the complexities of metalloid oxyanion metabolism in thesebacteria.     

Selenium and selenoproteins in prostanoid metabolism and immunity

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that functions in the form of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec) in a defined set of proteins. Se deficiency is associated with pathological conditions in humans and animals, where incorporation of Sec into selenoproteins is reduced along with their expression and catalytic activity. Supplementation of Se-deficient population with Se has shown health benefits suggesting the importance of Se in physiology. An interesting paradigm to explain, in part, the health benefits of Se stems from the observations that selenoprotein-dependent modulation of inflammation and efficient resolution of inflammation relies on mechanisms involving a group of bioactive lipid mediators, prostanoids, which orchestrate a concerted action toward maintenance and restoration of homeostatic immune responses. Such an effect involves the interaction of various immune cells with these lipid mediators where cellular redox gatekeeper functions of selenoproteins further aid in not only dampening inflammation, but also initiating an effective and active resolution process. Here we have summarized the current literature on the multifaceted roles of Se/selenoproteins in the regulation of these bioactive lipid mediators and their immunomodulatory effects.     

Selenium metabolism in a strain ofFusarium

Fusarium sp. was isolated from Sinai soil at Egypt. It showed tendency to tolerate high concentrations of selenium in the form of sodium selenite up to 3.5% (w/v). The microscopic examination revealed some morphological distortions. However, the fungus was capable to circumvent the toxic effect of selenium. The fungus possesses strong reducing ability as high quantities of elemental selenium were precipitated within the fungal cells as well as on the surface of the fungal hyphae and spores. The presence of selenium increased the cellular contents of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Labeling studies indicate the incorporation of selenite into certain amino acids: selenocysteine and selenocysteic acid. Moreover, the presence of selenium induced the biosynthesis of several types of low molecular weight proteins. The results demonstrated different modes of detoxification of selenium toxicity.     

Selenium modifies carcinogen metabolism by inhibiting enzyme induction

Since selenium has been found to exert a protective action against carcinogenesis in various systems, the mechanism where-by sodium selenite inhibits DNA binding of the carcinogen, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, was investigated. It was found that selenite preferentially reduced DNA binding occurring through ananti-dihydrodiol epoxide metabolite of this carcinogen by inhibiting the induction of an enzyme system that generates this specific reactive metabolite.     

Selenium metabolism and glutathione peroxidase activity in cultured human lymphoblasts

The metabolism of selenite, selenocysteine (SeCys), and selenomethionine (SeMet) was studied in three human lymphoblast cell lines with defects in the transsulfuration pathway and in control cells without this defect. There were very little differences in the induction of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity by selenite and SeCys among these cells. However, markedly higher levels of SeMet were required to induce GPX activity in transsulfuration defective cells than in control cells. Surprisingly, the addition of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) to the media resulted in elevated GPX activity in all cells regardless of the chemical form of Se used. There is no explanation for this effect of PLP, but it is not through direct reaction with GPX or on the alteration of sulfhydryl groups.     

Selenium and thyroid function in infants, children and adolescents

Selenium is an integral component of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and iodothyronine deiodinases. Although selenium nutrition could conceivably affect thyroid function in infants, children and adolescents, available data suggest that the effect of selenium deficiency on thyroid function is relatively modest. In patients with isolated selenium deficiency (such as patients with phenylketonuria receiving a low-protein diet), peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism is impaired but there are no changes in thyrotropin (TSH) or clinical signs of hypothyroidism, suggesting that these patients are euthyroid. Selenium supplementation may be advisable to optimize tissue GPx activity and prevent potential oxidative stress damage. In areas where combined selenium and iodine deficiencies are present (such as endemic goiter areas in Central Africa), selenium deficiency may be responsible for the destruction of the thyroid gland in myxoedematous cretins but may also play a protective role by mitigating fetal hypothyroidism. In these areas, selenium supplementation should only be advocated at the same time or after iodine supplementation. In patients with absent or decreased production of thyroid hormones and who rely solely on deiodination of exogenous L-thyroxine for generation of the active triiodothyronine (such as patients with congenital hypothyroidism), selenium supplementation may optimize thyroid hormone feedback at the pituitary level and decrease stimulation of the residual thyroid tissue.     

Selenium stimulates pancreatic beta-cell gene expression and enhances islet function

The present study investigated the role of selenium in the regulation of pancreatic beta-cell function. Utilising the mouse beta-cell line Min6, we have shown that selenium specifically upregulates Ipf1 (insulin promoter factor 1) gene expression, activating the -2715 to -1960 section of the Ipf1 gene promoter. Selenium increased both Ipf1 and insulin mRNA levels in Min6 cells and stimulated increases in insulin content and insulin secretion in isolated primary rat islets of Langerhans. These data are the first to implicate selenium in the regulation of specific beta-cell target genes and suggest that selenium potentially promotes an overall improvement in islet function.     

Polyamine metabolism and function in brain

Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are simple alipathic polycations of ubiquitous occurrence. The pathways of biosynthesis and catabolism, and changes of the concentrations of these compounds in brain under various conditions are discussed.The pharmacological properties of the polyamines have not yet revealed functions which are characteristic only for the CNS, but preliminary evidence suggests structural roles in membranes and a modulatory function in certain neuronal systems.     

Impaired renal function and aluminum metabolism

The consequences of renal functional impairment on aluminum (Al) excretion are not clear inasmuch as little is known about its glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, or secretion. The association of Al and the etiology of the dialysis encephalopathy syndrome and osteomalacia among patients with uremia suggests that renal functional impairment is a prerequisite for increased body Al stores. However, considerable evidence argues against the concept that tissue Al accumulation occurs as a simple consequence of renal failure. Many dialysis patients have high parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations that have been associated with neurologic abnormalities, bone disease, and anemia. The toxicity of PTH could be either direct or indirect by influencing the metabolism of potentially toxic substances such as Al. Our studies in normal rats suggest that gastrointestinal Al absorption and specific tissue burdens are enhanced by PTH, but not irreversibly, because the withdrawal of PTH resulted in Al egress. Dialysis patients are often treated with vitamin D analogs to prevent or control consequences of hyperparathyroidism and impaired 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol synthesis. Although some reports suggest that high bone Al in osteomalacia may be responsible for vitamin D resistance, our studies with normal rats suggest that its metabolites may also increase tissue Al burdens independent of PTH action. Thus, several factors operative in uremia other than impaired renal function may contribute to altered Al metabolism and, consequently, to its toxicity.