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Treatment of Caenorhabditis elegans with Small Selenium Species Enhances Antioxidant Defense Systems
Author(s) -
Rohn Isabelle,
Raschke Stefanie,
Aschner Michael,
Tuck Simon,
Kuehnelt Doris,
Kipp Anna,
Schwerdtle Tanja,
Bornhorst Julia
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201801304
Subject(s) - caenorhabditis elegans , antioxidant , thioredoxin reductase , selenium , thioredoxin , reactive oxygen species , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , chemistry , organism , mutant , model organism , gene , genetics , organic chemistry
Scope Small selenium (Se) species play a key role in Se metabolism and act as dietary sources of the essential trace element. However, they are redox‐active and trigger pro‐ and antioxidant responses. As health outcomes are strongly species‐dependent, species‐specific characteristics of Se compounds are tested in vivo. Methods and results In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) , immediate and sustained effects of selenite, selenomethionine (SeMet), and Se‐methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) are studied regarding their bioavailability, incorporation into proteins, as well as modulation of the cellular redox status. While all tested Se compounds are bioavailable, only SeMet persistently accumulates and is non‐specifically incorporated into proteins. However, the protection toward chemically‐induced formation of reactive species is independent of the applied Se compound. Increased thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD) activity and changes in mRNA expression levels of antioxidant proteins indicate the activation of cellular defense mechanisms. However, in txnrd‐1 deletion mutants, no protective effects of the Se species are observed anymore, which is also reflected by differential gene expression data. Conclusion Se species protect against chemically‐induced reactive species formation. The identified immediate and sustained systemic effects of Se species give rise to speculations on possible benefits facing subsequent periods of inadequate Se intake.