Selenium compounds modulate the calcium release channel/ryanodine receptor of rabbit skeletal muscle by oxidizing functional thiols.

Selenium compounds, such as sodium selenite and Ebselen were shown to increase high affinity ryanodine binding to the skeletal muscle type ryanodine receptor (RyR1) at nanomolar concentrations, and inhibit the receptor at low micromolar concentrations. This biphasic response was observed in both concentration and time-dependent assays. Extensive washing did not reverse either the stimulation or suppression of receptor binding, but both were prevented or reversed by addition of reduced glutathione, GSH.

New concepts in selenium chemoprevention.

This article highlights some recent advances in selenium cancer chemoprevention research. It has been well documented that the chemical transformation of selenium to a monomethylated metabolite is an important step in achieving cancer prevention. Studies with the rat mammary carcinogenesis model suggested that methylselenocysteine (MSC), a good precursor for generating methylselenol endogenously, is able to block clonal expansion of premalignant lesions in the mammary gland.

Delineation of the molecular basis for selenium-induced growth arrest in human prostate cancer cells by oligonucleotide array.

Despite the growing interest in selenium intervention of prostate cancer in humans, scanty information is currently available on the molecular mechanism of selenium action. Our past research indicated that methylseleninic acid (MSA) is an excellent reagent for investigating the anticancer effect of selenium in vitro. The present study was designed to examine the cellular and molecular effects of MSA in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells.

Identification of molecular targets associated with selenium-induced growth inhibition in human breast cells using cDNA microarrays.

Past research indicated that methylseleninic acid (MSA) is an excellent tool for investigating the cancer chemopreventive action of selenium in vitro. The present study was designed to examine the cellular and molecular effects of MSA in the MCF10AT1 and MCF10AT3B premalignant human breast cells. After exposure to MSA, both cell lines exhibited a dose- and time-dependent growth-inhibitory response as determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay.

Mechanisms of cell cycle arrest by methylseleninic acid.

Methylseleninic acid (MSA) is a monomethylated form of selenium effective in inhibiting cell growth in vitro and experimental mammary carcinogenesis in vivo. MSA offers particular advantage in cell culture experiments because it is stable in solution and provides a monomethylated form of selenium that can be reduced by cellular reducing systems and released nonenzymatically within a cell. In the present study, MSA was used to elucidate the mechanisms of cell growth inhibition by selenium.