Journal article
Methylselenocysteine treatment leads to diselenide formation in human cancer cells: Evidence from X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies
CM Weekley, JB Aitken, IF Musgrave, HH Harris
Biochemistry | AMER CHEMICAL SOC | Published : 2012
DOI: 10.1021/bi201462u
Abstract
The selenoamino acids methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet) have disparate efficacies as anticancer agents. Herein, we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to determine the chemical form of selenium in human neuroblastoma cells. Cells treated with MeSeCys contain a significant diselenide component, which is absent from SeMet-treated cells and suggests that metabolites of MeSeCys are capable of altering the redox status of the cells. The differences in the speciation of Se in the selenoamino acid-treated cells may provide insight into the differing anticancer activities of MeSeCys and SeMet. © 2012 American Chemical Society.
Grants
Awarded by Australian Research Council
Funding Acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Australian Research Council (Grant DP0985807-QEII to H.H.H.) with travel funding provided by the International Synchrotron Access Program (ISAP) managed by the Australian Synchrotron and funded by the Australian Government.