Understanding the importance of selenium and selenoproteins in muscle function

Selenium is an essential trace element. In cattle, selenium deficiency causes dysfunction of various organs, including skeletal and cardiac muscles. In humans as well, lack of selenium is associated with many disorders, but despite accumulation of clinical reports, muscle diseases are not generally considered on the list. The goal of this review is to establish the connection between clinical observations and the most recent advances obtained in selenium biology. Recent results about a possible role of selenium-containing proteins in muscle formation and repair have been collected. Selenoprotein N is the first selenoprotein linked to genetic disorders consisting of different forms of congenital muscular dystrophies. Understanding the muscle disorders associated with selenium deficiency or selenoprotein N dysfunction is an essential step in defining the causes of the disease and obtaining a better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in muscle formation and maintenance. Received 13 July 2005; received after revision 9 September 2005; accepted 4 October 2005     

Congenital muscular dystrophy: molecular and cellular aspects

The congenital muscular dystrophies are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neuromuscular disorders. Each form has a characteristic phenotype, but there is overlap between some entities and their classification is based on a combination of clinical features and the primary or secondary protein defect. Recent studies have identified the genetic basis of a number of congenital muscular dystrophies (11 genes in total) and have recognised a novel pathological mechanism that highlights the importance of the correct posttranslational processing of proteins, in particular -dystroglycan. Diagnosis of these conditions has been aided by the availability of specific antibodies for each protein and a better understanding of the protein changes that accompany each condition. In this review we present the major molecular, clinical and diagnostic aspects of each group of congenital muscular dystrophy with an emphasis in the more recent developments.Received 11 December 2004; accepted 15 December 2004     

硒蛋白分子生物学及其生理功能研究进展

在硒蛋白特别是硒酶的活性中心发现含有硒半胱氨酸,说明硒对硒蛋白的结构和硒酶的活性有着重要意义,研究发现,硒半胱氨酸是参入到蛋白质分子中的第21种氨基酸,硒是唯一受基因调控的微量元素,本文对硒蛋白分子生物学及其生理功能研究进展进行综述。     

Bioinformatic prediction of selenoprotein genes in the dolphin genome

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element in vivo, is present mainly as selenocystein (Sec) in various selenoproteins. The Sec residue is translated from an in-frame TGA codon, which traditionally functions as a stop codon. Prediction of selenoprotein genes is difficult due to the lack of an effective method for distinguishing the dual function of the TGA codon in the open reading frame of a selenoprotein gene. In this article a eukaryotic bioinformatic prediction system that we have developed was used to predict selenoprotein genes from the genome of the common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. Sixteen selenoprotein genes were predicted, including selenoprotein P and glutathione peroxidase. In particular, a type II iodothyronine deiodinase was found to have two Sec residues, while the type I iodothyronine deiodinase gene has two alternative splice forms. These results provide important information for the investigation of the relationship between a variety of selenoproteins and the evolution of the marine-living dolphin.     

高效液相色谱-氢化物发生原子荧光光谱法测定食品中多形态硒含量

研究基于高效液相色谱-氢化物发生原子荧光光谱建立了一种适用于富硒蛋白粉、富硒大米、富硒香菇和富硒酵母等富硒食品中硒酸根、硒代胱氨酸、甲基硒代半胱氨酸、硒代蛋氨酸的检测方法。样品经Tris缓冲液提取,蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶酶解,以V(20mmol/L磷酸氢二胺水溶液,pH=6.0)∶V(甲醇)=98∶2为流动相,经Hamilton PRP-X100阴离子交换色谱柱分离测定。结果表明,4种硒形态化合物在5~100μg/kg范围内线性良好(R²＞0.999),方法检出限可达25~50μg/kg,平均加标回收率为81.37%~93.80%,且RSD为2.80%~7.22%。应用此方法对4种市售富硒食品(富硒蛋白粉、富硒大米、富硒香菇和富硒酵母)中4种硒形态化合物进行检测,前处理步骤简单,测定快速、准确度和灵敏度高,为食品中硒形态评价和质量控制提供了方法和依据。     

Human selenoproteins at a glance

The public perception of selenium has changed significantly over the last decades. Originally mainly known for its high toxicity, it was later recognized as an essential trace element and is now (despite its narrow therapeutic window) almost being marketed as a lifestyle drug. Indeed, some clinical and preclinical studies suggest that selenium supplementation may be beneficial in a large number of clinical conditions. However, its mode of action is unresolved in most of these cases. Selenocysteine – identified as the 21^st amino acid used in ribosome-mediated protein synthesis – is incorporated in at least 25 specific, genetically determined human selenoproteins, many of which have only recently been discovered. Restoration of normal selenoprotein levels may be – apart from direct supranutritional effects – one possible explanation for the effects of selenium supplements. In this review we provide a brief but up-to-date overview of what is currently known about these 25 acknowledged human selenoproteins and their synthesis. Received 30 March 2005; received after revision 4 July 2005; accepted 13 July 2005     

In silico identification of silkworm selenoproteomes

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in vivo. Its biological function is mainly exerted through selenoproteins. Selenocysteine (Sec), the active site of selenoproteins, is incorporated into the protein at an in-frame TGA codon under the guidance of Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the gene. In this work, a method was developed and a series of programs were edited by PERL language to in silico identify selenoproteomes from the genome of domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori). Out of 18510 annotated genes, 6348 was terminated with TGA codons, 249 containing both in-frame TGAs and SECIS elements in the 3′-UTRs. Alignments of those selenoprotein candidates with their cysteine (Cys)-containing homologs revealed that 52 genes had TGA/Cys pairs and similar flanking regions around the in-frame TGAs. Restricted by the patterns of SECIS elements only 5 genes were screened out to fully meet the requirements for selenoproteins. Among them glutathione S-transferase (GST) has been reported as a microbial selenoprotein, the other four are novel selenoproteins annotated as CG6024, CG5195, ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily A (ABCA), and nuclear VCP-like protein. Derived from the general properties of GST, ABCA and VCP, silkworm selenoproteins may play important roles in redox regulation, Se storage and transportation, as well as cell apoptosis.     

大豆硒蛋白药理作用研究

开展了大豆硒蛋白的动物药、毒理实验 ,结果表明 ,大豆硒蛋白能明显增强小鼠抗疲劳能力 ,并能显著增加小鼠免疫器官 (脾脏和胸腺 )的重量。大豆硒蛋白对体外生长的 SP2 /0小鼠骨髓瘤细胞以及对小鼠体内 SP2 /0实体瘤的生长具有明显的抑制和杀伤作用。连续接受高剂量大豆硒蛋白的小鼠在一个月的观察期内无一死亡 ,且均未见到任何异常反应 ,证实了大豆硒蛋白的安全性。     

Identification of selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element in eukaryotic selenoproteins by RNA Draw program

The computer program RNA Draw was used to identify the secondary structures in the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of the mRNAs from 46 eukaryotic selenoproteins among 7 species. The program found one or two possible SECIS elements in these selenoproteins. The SECIS element consists of a stem-loop or hairpin structure with three conserved sequences of AUGA-(A)AA-GA. SECIS element was not found by the RNA Draw program in randomly selected non-selenoproteins. The results showed that SECIS element is the unique character of the genes of eukaryotic selenoproteins. Thus it is possible to use RNA Draw to search the SECIS elements in gene bank for potential new selenoproteins.     

含硒生物大分子化合物研究进展

硒是人体必需的微量元素 ,对人类健康有着重要意义 .研究证明 :硒与多种疾病如心血管系统疾病、癌症、HIV感染等相关 ,硒是硒蛋白的组成成分 ,并且在硒酶的活性中心发现含有硒半胱氨酸 ,说明硒与某些含硒生物大分子的结构和硒酶活性有着密切联系 .对含硒的生物大分子 (硒蛋白、硒酶、含硒多糖、含硒核酸等 )已作了大量有意义的研究工作 ,认识它们的重要作用有助于进一步探明硒的生物学作用机理 ,并对含硒活性物质开发具有促进作用