Genetic evidence for an androgen-regulated epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase whose transcript does not contain a selenocysteine codon.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Perry AC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1132876 | biostudies-other | 1992 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:Selenocysteine (Sec) is the 21st amino acid in the genetic code where this amino acid is primarily involved in redox reactions in enzymes because of its high reactivity toward oxygen and related reactive oxygen species. Sec has found wide utility in synthetic peptides, especially as a replacement for cysteine. One limitation of using Sec in synthetic peptides is that it can undergo β-syn elimination reactions after oxidation, rendering the peptide inactive due to loss of selenium. This limitation can be overcome by substituting Cα-H with a methyl group. The resulting Sec derivative is α-methylselenocysteine ((αMe)Sec). Here, we present a new strategy for the synthesis of (αMe)Sec by alkylation of an achiral methyl malonate through the use of a selenium-containing alkylating agent synthesized in the presence of dichloromethane. The seleno-malonate was then subjected to an enzymatic hydrolysis utilizing pig liver esterase followed by a Curtius rearrangement producing a protected derivative of (αMe)Sec that could be used in solid-phase peptide synthesis. We then synthesized two peptides: one containing Sec and the other containing (αMe)Sec, based on the sequence of glutathione peroxidase. This is the first reported incorporation of (αMe)Sec into a peptide as well as the first reported biochemical application of this unique amino acid. The (αMe)Sec-containing peptide had superior stability as it could not undergo β-syn elimination and it also avoided cleavage of the peptide backbone, which we surprisingly found to be the case for the Sec-containing peptide when it was incubated for 96 hours in oxygenated buffer at pH 8.0.
| S-EPMC6785838 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We have used high resolution NMR and thermodynamics to characterize the secondary structure and stability of the selenocysteine insertion sequences (SECIS) of human glutathione peroxidase (58 nt) and thioredoxin reductase (51 nt). These sequences are members of the two classes of SECIS recently identified with two distinct structures capable of directing selenocysteine incorporation into proteins in eukaryotes. UV melting experiments showed a single cooperative and reversible transition for each RNA, which indicates the presence of stable secondary structures. Despite their large size, the RNAs gave well resolved NMR spectra for the exchangeable protons. Using NOESY, the imino protons as well as the cytosine amino protons of all of the Watson-Crick base pairs were assigned. In addition, a number of non-canonical base pairs including the wobble G.U pairs were identified. The interbase-pair NOEs allowed definition of the hydrogen-bonded structure of the oligonucleotides, providing an experimental model of the secondary structure of these elements. The derived secondary structures are consistent with several features of the predicted models, but with some important differences, especially regarding the conserved sequence motifs.
| S-EPMC390329 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Oxidative stress caused by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is capable of damaging effects on numerous cellular components. Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs, EC 1.11.1.9) are key enzymes of the antioxidant network in plants. In this study, W69 and W106, two putative GPX genes, were obtained by de novo transcriptome sequencing of salt-treated wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings. The purified His-tag fusion proteins of W69 and W106 reduced H2O2 and t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) using glutathione (GSH) or thioredoxin (Trx) as an electron donor in vitro, showing their peroxidase activity toward H2O2 and toxic organic hydroperoxide. GFP fluorescence assays revealed that W69 and W106 are localized in chloroplasts. Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-RT-PCR) analysis showed that two GPXs were differentially responsive to salt, drought, H2O2, or ABA. Isolation of the W69 and W106 promoters revealed some cis-acting elements responding to abiotic stresses. Overexpression of W69 and W106 conferred strong tolerance to salt, H2O2, and ABA treatment in Arabidopsis. Moreover, the expression levels of key regulator genes (SOS1, RbohD and ABI1/ABI2) involved in salt, H2O2 and ABA signaling were altered in the transgenic plants. These findings suggest that W69 and W106 not only act as scavengers of H2O2 in controlling abiotic stress responses, but also play important roles in salt and ABA signaling.
| S-EPMC3788784 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundGlutathione peroxidase 1 gene (GPX1) is one of the antioxidant enzyme that remove the reactive oxygen species in a continuous process. Since the identification of a well-characterized functional polymorphism named p.Pro198Leu (rs1050450 C>T) in GPX1 gene, abundant studies have evaluated the association between p.Pro198Leu polymorphism and tumor risk in diverse population. But, the available results related to breast cancer are conflicting and absent in Africa. The present case-control study was planned to assess the presence of GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism in Rwanda population to determine whether it is associated with the risk of developing breast cancer.MethodsGenomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes of 41 patients with breast cancer and 42 healthy controls were enrolled and genotyped GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing.ResultsNo significant difference in the frequencies of Pro/Pro (49%) and Pro/Leu (51%) genotypes in cancer cases and in controls (50% each) were found. The allelic frequencies of Pro and Leu were 74% versus 26% and 75% versus 25% in breast cancer cases and controls respectively. No association was observed in allele frequencies of Pro and Leu, and familial history. Only an overall association of GPX1 Pro198Leu with grade of cancer (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p = .0200) was detected.ConclusionThe result of this study suggested that GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism could not be a risk factor for breast cancer in Rwanda. However, large-scale studies on the effect of this polymorphism on the factors disturbing the redox homeostasis are needed for conclusive understanding.
| S-EPMC5902397 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The regulation of gene expression at the translational level not only allows for rapid changes in specific protein levels but also provides an opportunity to alter codon specificity. For the incorporation of selenocysteine (Sec) into protein, the UGA codon is transformed from one that signals translation termination to one specific for Sec. This review provides a look at Sec incorporation from the perspective of the individual steps involved in protein synthesis: initiation, elongation and termination. The roles of the factors known to be required for Sec incorporation are considered in the context of each step in translation including structural modeling of the differences between the standard elongation factor eEF1A and the Sec-specific counterpart, eEFSec.
| S-EPMC2820279 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Selenoprotein S (SelS, VIMP) is an intrinsically disordered enzyme that utilizes selenocysteine to catalyze the reduction of disulfide bonds and peroxides. Here it is demonstrated that selenocysteine is the residue oxidized by the peroxide substrate. It is possible to trap the reaction intermediate selenenic acid when the resolving cysteine is mutated. The selenocysteine allows SelS to rapidly re-form its selenenylsulfide bond following its reduction, and to resist inactivation by H2O2. We propose that SelS's peroxidase mechanism is similar to that of atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin and that selenocysteine allows SelS to sustain activity under oxidative stress.
| S-EPMC3809988 | biostudies-literature
Project description:It is thought that the SelenoCysteine Insertion Sequence (SECIS) element and UGA codon are sufficient for selenocysteine (Sec) insertion. However, we found that UGA supported Sec insertion only at its natural position or in its close proximity in mammalian thioredoxin reductase 1 (TR1). In contrast, Sec could be inserted at any tested position in mammalian TR3. Replacement of the 3'-UTR of TR3 with the corresponding segment of a Euplotes crassus TR restricted Sec insertion into the C-terminal region, whereas the 3'-UTR of TR3 conferred unrestricted Sec insertion into E. crassus TR, in which Sec insertion is normally limited to the C-terminal region. Exchanges of 3'-UTRs between mammalian TR1 and E. crassus TR had no effect, as both proteins restricted Sec insertion. We further found that these effects could be explained by the use of selenoprotein-specific SECIS elements. Examination of Sec insertion into other selenoproteins was consistent with this model. The data indicate that mammals evolved the ability to limit Sec insertion into natural positions within selenoproteins, but do so in a selenoprotein-specific manner, and that this process is controlled by the SECIS element in the 3'-UTR.
| S-EPMC3737529 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundGlutathione (GSH) is one of the most important agents of the antioxidant defense system of the cell because, in conjunction with the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione S transferase pi (GSTpi), it plays a central role in the detoxification and biotransformation of chemotherapeutic drugs. This study evaluated the expression of GSH and the GSH-Px and GSTpi enzymes by immunohistochemistry in 30 canine mammary tumors, relating the clinicopathological parameters, clinical outcome and survival of the bitches. In an in vitro study, the expression of the genes glutamate cysteine ligase (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) that synthesize GSH and GSH-Px gene were verified by qPCR and subjected to treatment with doxorubicin, to check the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy.ResultsThe immunohistochemical expression of GSH, GSH-Px and GSTpi was compared with the clinical and pathological characteristics and the clinical outcome in the bitches, including metastasis and death.The results showed that high immunoexpression of GSH was correlated to the absence of tumor ulceration and was present in dogs without metastasis (P < 0.05). There was significant correlation of survival with the increase of GSH (P < 0.05). The expression of the GSH-Px and GSTpi enzymes showed no statistically significant correlation with the analyzed variables (p > 0.05). The analysis of the relative expression of genes responsible for the synthesis of GSH (GCLC and GSS) and GSH-Px by quantitative PCR was done with cultured cells of 10 tumor fragments from dogs with mammary tumors.The culture cells showed a decrease in GCLC and GSS expression when compared with no treated cells (P < 0.05). High GSH immunoexpression was associated with better clinical outcomes.ConclusionTherefore, high expression of the GSH seems to play an important role in the clinical outcome of patients with mammary tumors and suggest its use as prognostic marker. The in vitro doxorubicin treatment significantly reduces the expression of GCLC and GSS genes so we can consider them to be candidates for predictive markers of therapeutic response in mammary cancer.
| S-EPMC3975948 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, encodes three nearly identical genes for cysteine-homologues of the selenocysteine-containing glutathione peroxidases. The enzymes, which are essential for the parasites, lack glutathione peroxidase activity but catalyse the trypanothione/Tpx (tryparedoxin)-dependent reduction of hydroperoxides. Cys47, Gln82 and Trp137 correspond to the selenocysteine, glutamine and tryptophan catalytic triad of the mammalian selenoenzymes. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that Cys47 and Gln82 are essential. A glycine mutant of Trp137 had 13% of wild-type activity, which suggests that the aromatic residue may play a structural role but is not directly involved in catalysis. Cys95, which is conserved in related yeast and plant proteins but not in the mammalian selenoenzymes, proved to be essential as well. In contrast, replacement of the highly conserved Cys76 by a serine residue resulted in a fully active enzyme species and its role remains unknown. Thr50, proposed to stabilize the thiolate anion at Cys47, is also not essential for catalysis. Treatment of the C76S/C95S but not of the C47S/C76S double mutant with H2O2 induced formation of a sulfinic acid and covalent homodimers in accordance with Cys47 being the peroxidative active site thiol. In the wild-type peroxidase, these oxidations are prevented by formation of an intramolecular disulfide bridge between Cys47 and Cys95. As shown by MS, regeneration of the reduced enzyme by Tpx involves a transient mixed disulfide between Cys95 of the peroxidase and Cys40 of Tpx. The catalytic mechanism of the Tpx peroxidase resembles that of atypical 2-Cys-peroxiredoxins but is distinct from that of the selenoenzymes.
| S-EPMC2267296 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in women. Evidence suggests that genetic variation in antioxidant enzymes could influence BC risk, but to date the relationship between selenoproteins and BC risk remains unclear. In this report, a study population including 975 Danish cases and 975 controls matched for age and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use was genotyped for five functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SEPP1, GPX1, GPX4 and the antioxidant enzyme SOD2 genes. The influence of genetic polymorphisms on breast cancer risk was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Additionally pre-diagnosis erythrocyte GPx (eGPx) activity was measured in a sub-group of the population. A 60% reduction in risk of developing overall BC and ductal BC was observed in women who were homozygous Thr carriers for SEPP1 rs3877899. Additionally, Leu carriers for GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism (rs1050450) were at ?2 fold increased risk of developing a non-ductal BC. Pre-diagnosis eGPx activity was found to depend on genotype for rs713041 (GPX4), rs3877899 (SEPP1), and rs1050450 (GPX1) and on HRT use. Moreover, depending on genotype and HRT use, eGPx activity was significantly lower in women who developed BC later in life compared with controls. Furthermore, GPx1 protein levels increased in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells exposed to ?-estradiol and sodium selenite.In conclusion, our data provide evidence that SNPs in SEPP1 and GPX1 modulate risk of BC and that eGPx activity is modified by SNPs in SEPP1, GPX4 and GPX1 and by estrogens. Our data thus suggest a role of selenoproteins in BC development.
| S-EPMC3769272 | biostudies-literature