Up-regulation of SLC7A11/xCT creates a vulnerability to selenocystine-induced cytotoxicity

The SLC7A11/xCT cystine and glutamate antiporter has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy due to its selective overexpression in multiple cancers and its role in preventing ferroptosis. Utilizing pharmacological and genetic approaches in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, we demonstrate that overexpression of SLC7A11 engenders hypersensitivity towards l-selenocystine, a naturally occurring diselenide that bears close structural similarity to l-cystine. We find that the abundance of SLC7A11 positively correlates with sensitivity to l-selenocystine, but surprisingly, not to Erastin, an inhibitor of SLC7A11 activity. Our data indicate that SLC7A11 acts as a transport channel for l-selenocystine, which preferentially incites acute oxidative stress and damage eventuating to cell death in cells that highly express SLC7A11. Hence, our findings raise the prospect of l-selenocystine administration as a novel strategy for targeting cancers that up-regulate SLC7A11 expression.

Polydopamine-Based Nanocomposite as a Biomimetic Antioxidant with a Variety of Enzymatic Activities for Parkinson's Disease

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cumulative oxidative stress induce the degeneration of neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of PD patients. Due to its redox property, melanin-like polydopamine (PDA) has been studied for its ability to remove ROS with a series of antioxidant enzyme mimetic activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is important for maintaining ROS metabolic homeostasis, but only a few GPx-like nanozymes have been studied for in vivo therapy. As we know, selenocysteine is essential for the antioxidant activity of GPx. Hence, we co-synthesized PDA with selenocystine (SeCys) to prepare a nanocomposite (PDASeCys) with GPx-like activity. The results showed that the PDASeCys nanocomposite has the same CAT and SOD enzymatic activities as PDA but better free radical scavenging efficiency and additional GPx enzymatic activity than PDA. In the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine ion (MPP+)-induced PD cell model, PDASeCys could increase intracellular GPx levels effectively and protect SH-SY5Y neuronal cells from oxidative stress caused by MPP+. In vivo, the PDASeCys nanocomposite effectively inhibited 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinium (MPTP)-induced Parkinson-related symptoms of mice when it was injected into the substantia nigra (SN). This polydopamine-based nanocomposite containing selenocystine with a variety of enzymatic activities including GPx-like activity synthesized by a one-pot method provides convenience and safety in the neuromelanin-like nanozyme-based therapeutic strategy for oxidative stress-induced PD.

Selenocystine-Derived Label-Free Fluorescent Schiff Base Nanocomplex for siRNA Delivery Synergistically Kills Cancer Cells

Chemo and siRNA synergic treatments for tumors is a promising new therapeutic trend. Selenocystine, a selenium analog of cysteine, has been considered a potential antitumor agent due to its redox perturbing role. In this study, we developed a nanocarrier for siRNA based on a selenocystine analog engineered polyetherimide and achieved traceable siRNA delivery and the synergic killing of tumor cells. Notably, we applied the label-free Schiff base fluorescence mechanism, which enabled us to trace the siRNA delivery and to monitor the selenocystine analogs’ local performance. A novel selenocystine-derived fluorescent Schiff base linker was used to crosslink the polyetherimide, thereby generating a traceable siRNA delivery vehicle with green fluorescence. Moreover, we found that this compound induced tumor cells to undergo senescence. Together with the delivery of a siRNA targeting the anti-apoptotic BCL-xl/w genes in senescent cells, it achieved a synergistic inhibition function by inducing both senescence and apoptosis of tumor cells. Therefore, this study provides insights into the development of label-free probes, prodrugs, and materials towards the synergic strategies for cancer therapy.

Disparity of selenourea and selenocystine on methaemoglobinemia in non-diabetics and diabetics

Organoselenium drugs like selenourea (SeU) and selenocystine (SeC) are found to exhibit several medicinal properties and have reported roles in the field of cancer prevention. However, studies related to their interactions with the major erythroid protein, haemoglobin (HbA) are still in dearth despite being of prime importance. In view of this, it was considered essential to investigate the interaction of these two anticancer drugs with Hb. Both the drugs showed significant changes in absorption spectra of Hb at wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) 630 nm. SeU itself had no effect on the absorbance value at 630 nm with respect to time even with 400 µM concentration. However, it was rapidly converted to nanoselenium in presence of nitrite and there was an increase in the absorbance rate at 630 nm from 3.39 × 10-3 min-1 (without nitrite) to 8.94 × 10-3 min-1 in presence of nitrite (200 µM) owing to the generation of reactive oxygen species in the medium. Although the generation and increase in peak intensity at 630 nm in Hb generally indicates the formation and rise in the levels of methaemoglobin (metHb), nanoselenium was observed to follow a different path. Instead of causing oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ responsible for metHb formation, nanoselenium was found to interact with the protein part, thereby causing changes in its secondary structure which is reflected in the increasing absorbance at 630 nm. SeC, however, showed a different effect. It was shown to act as a novel agent to reduce nitrite-induced metHb formation in a dose-dependent manner. The efficiency of SeC was again found to be less in diabetic blood samples as compared to the non-diabetic ones. For similar ratio of metHb to SeC (1:8), % reduction of metHb was found to be 27.46 ± 0.82 and 16.1 ± 2.4 for non-diabetic and diabetic samples, respectively, with a two tailed P-value much <0.05 which implies that the data are highly significant.

Facile Synthesis of Boc-Protected Selenocystine and its Compatibility with Late-Stage Farnesylation at Cysteine Site

BACKGROUND

The unique hypervariable C-terminal region (HVR) of K-Ras4B, one of the most frequently mutated proteins in many powerful cancers, contains a C-terminal farnesylated and methylated Cys and a poly-lysine motif, which decides the association of K-Ras4B to the inner leaflet of plasma membrane for activating the downstream signaling activity. In our previous work, we inserted an additional Cys in K-Ras4B HVR peptide synthesis for NCL in the semi-synthesis of K-Ras4b protein, but it is not suitable for application in protein dimerization research. The recently developed selenocysteine (Sec, U) mediated native chemical ligation reaction followed by selective deselenization, which can help to broaden the scope of protein synthesis, requires the generation of the peptide fragment with an N-terminal Sec.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize K-Ras4B HVR peptide containing both N-terminal Sec and C-terminal farnesylated and methylated Cys to achieve traceless protein semi-synthesis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We have developed a facile synthesis approach for producing Boc-Sec)2-OH using economic Se powder, which can facilitate scaling up preparation of peptides containing Sec at the N-terminus. Furthermore, we synthesized K-Ras4B HVR peptide containing selenocystine by utilization of Boc-Sec)2-OH. Finally, we took K-Ras4B HVR peptide as an example to test the compatibility of farnesylation reaction at Cys with the N-terminal Sec)2, and the farnesyl group was successfully added to the thiol group of Cys.

Mechanical Insights into Thiol-Mediated Synergetic Biotransformation of Cadmium and Selenium in Nematodes

Cadmium ion (Cd²⁺) is a common environmental pollutant with high biotoxicity. Interestingly, the Cd²⁺ biotoxicity can be alleviated by the coexisting selenite (SeO₃^2-), which induces the formation of cadmium selenide-rich nanoparticles (CdSe NPs) under the function of thiol-capping peptides. However, the detailed biochemical mechanisms by which Cd and Se are synergistically transformed into CdSe NPs in living organisms remain unclear so far. Here, we shed light on the molecular basis of such biotransformation processes in Caenorhabditis elegans by focusing on the roles of several key thiol-capping peptides. By monitoring the compositional and structural changes of the Cd and Se species and the genetic-level responses of nematodes, we revealed the specific roles of glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) in mediating the CdSe NP formation. With the aid of in vitro bioassembly assay and density functional theory calculations, the detailed Cd-Se interaction pathways were further deciphered: the ingested Cd binds predominantly to GSH and PCs in sequence, then further interacts with selenocysteine to form tetrahedral-structured PC2-Cd₂-Sec₂ complex, and ultimately grows into CdSe NPs. This work provides molecular-level insights into the Cd-Se interaction in C. elegans and lays a basis for controlling the ecological and health risks of heavy metals in polluted environment.

Elucidating the anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing potential of selenocystine against respiratory tract infections causing bacteria: in vitro and in silico studies

Bacteria are increasingly relying on biofilms to develop resistance to antibiotics thereby resulting in their failure in treating many infections. In spite of continuous research on many synthetic and natural compounds, ideal anti-biofilm molecule is still not found thereby warranting search for new class of molecules. The current study focuses on exploring anti-biofilm potential of selenocystine against respiratory tract infection (RTI)-causing bacteria. Anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm assays demonstrated that selenocystine inhibits the growth of bacteria in their planktonic state, and formation of biofilms while eradicating preformed-biofilm effectively. Selenocystine at a MIC₅₀ as low as 42 and 28 μg/mL effectively inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial effect is further reconfirmed by agar cup diffusion assay and growth-kill assay. Selenocystine showed 30-60% inhibition of biofilm formation in K. pneumonia, and 44-70% in P. aeruginosa respectively. It also distorted the preformed-biofilms by degrading the eDNA component of the Extracellular Polymeric Substance matrix. Molecular docking studies of selenocystine with quorum sensing specific proteins clearly showed that through the carboxylic acid moiety it interacts and inhibits the protein function, thereby confirming its anti-biofilm potential. With further validation selenocystine can be explored as a potential candidate for the treatment of RTIs.

Selenium-Containing Amino Acids Protect Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis via Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Intestinal Inflammation

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic relapsing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Selenium-containing amino acids reportedly have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, but it remains unknown if selenium-containing amino acids can be used to treat IBD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two selenium-containing amino acids - selenocysteine and selenocystine - on oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD.

Methodology

C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the following six groups: control, DSS, DSS+selenocysteine, DSS+selenocystine, DSS+sodium selenite, and DSS+N-acetylcysteine (NAC). IBD was induced by 3% DSS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and markers for oxidative and anti-oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were measured using immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

Selenocysteine and selenocystine significantly attenuated IBD-related symptoms, including preventing weight loss, decreasing disease activity index (DAI) scores, and increasing colon length. Selenocysteine and selenocystine significantly ameliorated the DSS-induced oxidative stress, as demonstrated by a reduction in ROS and MDA activity and an increase in SOD and GPx activity. IL-1, MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the IBD mice, while treatment with the selenium-containing amino acids significantly reduced the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vivo safety analysis showed minimal side effects of the selenium-containing amino acids.

Conclusion

We found that selenocysteine and selenocystine ameliorated DSS-induced IBD via reducing oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation, indicating that selenium-containing amino acids could be a novel therapeutic option for patients with IBD.

Effect of Selenium Biofortification and Beneficial Microorganism Inoculation on Yield, Quality and Antioxidant Properties of Shallot Bulbs

Plant biofortification with selenium in interaction with the application of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-based formulate, with the goal of enhancing Se bioavailability, is beneficial for the development of the environmentally friendly production of functional food with a high content of this microelement. Research was carried out in order to assess the effects of an AMF-based formulate and a non-inoculated control in factorial combination with two selenium treatments with an organic (selenocystine) or inorganic form (sodium selenate) and a non-treated control on the yield, quality, antioxidant properties, and elemental composition of shallot (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group). Selenocystine showed the best effect on the growth and yield of mycorrhized plants, whereas sodium selenate was the most effective on the non-inoculated plants. The soluble solids, total sugars, monosaccharides, titratable acidity, and proteins attained higher values upon AMF inoculation. Sodium selenate resulted in higher soluble solids, total sugars and monosaccharide content, and titratable acidity than the non-treated control, and it also resulted in higher monosaccharides when compared to selenocystine; the latter showed higher protein content than the control. Calcium, Na, S, and Cl bulb concentrations were higher in the plants inoculated with the beneficial microorganisms. Calcium and sodium concentrations were higher in the bulbs of plants treated with both the selenium forms than in the control. Selenocystine-treated plants showed enhanced accumulation of sulfur and chlorine compared to the untreated plants. The AMF inoculation increased the bulb selenium content by 530%, and the Se biofortification with selenocystine and sodium selenate increased this value by 36% and 21%, respectively, compared to control plants. The AMF-based formulate led to increases in ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity when compared to the non-inoculated control. The bulb ascorbic acid was increased by fortification with both selenium forms when compared to the non-treated control. The results of our investigation showed that both AMF and selenium application represent environmentally friendly strategies to enhance the overall yield and quality performances of shallot bulbs, as well as their selenium content.

Selenocystine inhibits JEG-3 cell growth in vitro and in vivo by triggering oxidative damage-mediated S-phase arrest and apoptosis

Background

Selenocystine (SeC) is a nutritionally available selenoamino acid presenting novel anticancer potential against human cancers. However, neither the effects nor mechanism of SeC against choriocarcinoma growth has been clarified yet. This study investigated the anticancer effects and mechanism of SeC against JEG-3 human choriocarcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and Methods

The in vitro anticancer efficiency was evaluated with cell viability, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. JEG-3 cell viability was determined with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometric analysis. Oxidative damage was detected with immunofluorescence and western blotting. The in vivo anticancer efficiency was evaluated in immunodeficient mouse model of choriocarcinoma. The mechanism was also investigated.

Results

SeC dose and time dependently inhibited the viability of JEG-3 cells in vitro. The result of flow cytometry (FCM) analysis showed that obvious S-phase arrest and cell apoptosis were initiated by SeC in JEG-3 cells, which was further convinced by the decreased levels of cyclin A, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage, and activation of caspase-3,-7, and-9. In addition, SeC resulted in significant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anion, followed by the activation of DNA damage. However, SeC-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis were effectively blocked after ROS inhibition. Further investigation indicated that SeC effectively suppressed JEG-3 choriocarcinoma tumor xenograft growth in vivo. The mechanism may be the induction of cell apoptosis and oxidative damage through inhibiting cell proliferation (Ki-67) and angiogenesis (CD-31).

Conclusions

Our findings supported that human choriocarcinoma growth could be inhibited by SeC in vitro and in vivo through triggering oxidative damage-mediated S-phase arrest and apoptosis. Thus, SeC may be promising in the treatment of human choriocarcinoma.

The response of broccoli (Brassica oleracea convar. italica) varieties on foliar application of selenium: uptake, translocation, and speciation

A model small-scale field experiment was set up to investigate selenium (Se) uptake by four different varieties of broccoli plants, as well as the effect of Se foliar application on the uptake of essential elements for plants calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn). Foliar application of sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) was carried out at two rates (25 and 50 g Se/ha), and an untreated control variant was included. Analyses of individual parts of broccoli were performed, whereby it was found that Se in the plant accumulates mainly in the flower heads and slightly less in the leaves, stems, and roots, regardless of the Se rate and broccoli variety. In most cases, there was a statistically significant increase of Se content in all parts of the plant, while there was no confirmed systematic influence of the addition of Se on the changing intake of other monitored elements. Selenization of broccoli leads to an effective increase in the Se content at a rate of 25 g/ha, whereas the higher rate did not result in a substantial increase of Se content compared to the lower rate in all varieties. Therefore, the rate of 25 g/ha can be recommended as effective to produce broccoli with an increased Se content suitable for consumption. Moreover, Se application resulted in an adequate increase of the main organic compounds of Se, such as selenocystine (SeCys2), selenomethionine (SeMet), and Se-methylselenocysteine (Se-MeSeCys).