Abstract
The incorporation of 75Se from Na275SeO3 into the liver endoplasmic reticulum of rats given phenobarbitone was investigated by using a zonal centrifuge technique. It was found that, in rats deprived of vitamin E, or of vitamin E and selenium, phenobarbitone was without effect on the incorporation of 75 Se or on its conversion to 75 Se2-. When vitamin E was given at the same time as the phenobarbitone and 75Se, there was a large increase in the amount of 75Se and 75 Se2- found in the smooth reticulum. It is concluded that there may be a specific vitamin E dependent role for selenium and selenide in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and it is suggested, in the light of these and other observations, that the selenide may form a part of the active center of a non hem iron containing protein 'X', that may function in microsomal electron transport. Measurements of the contents of cytochromes P 450 and b5 in liver microsomal fractions of rats given vitamin E deficient, and vitamin E and selenium deficient diets, showed that hemoprotein biosynthesis is unimpaired in these rats and phenobarbitone treatment resulted in the expected increase in the hemoproteins. When the reduction of cytochrome P 450 by NADH and NADPH was measured, no difference was found between normal and deficient animals. These results are discussed in relation to current knowledge of microsomal electron transfer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 851-858 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Biochemical Journal |
Volume | 136 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1973 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology